La Sierra University vs. Pacific Oaks College

Comparable Facts

Compare La Sierra University in Riverside, CA with Pacific Oaks College in Pasadena, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

La Sierra University is larger than Pacific Oaks College based on total student enrollment (1,574 students vs. 1,068 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• La Sierra University is located in Riverside, CA (Large City setting); Pacific Oaks College is in Pasadena, CA (Midsize City setting).
• La Sierra University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Pacific Oaks College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: La Sierra University 12:1; Pacific Oaks College 11:1.

La Sierra University vs. Pacific Oaks College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, La Sierra University or Pacific Oaks College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at La Sierra University are 30% lower than at Pacific Oaks College ($13,431 vs. $19,185).
• La Sierra University is 16% more expensive for in-state tuition than Pacific Oaks College (about $5,190 more per year; $37,710.00 vs. $32,520.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16% higher at La Sierra University than at Pacific Oaks College (about $5,190 more per year; $37,710.00 vs. $32,520.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at La Sierra University than at Pacific Oaks College (98% vs. 0%).

La Sierra University vs. Pacific Oaks College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, La Sierra University or Pacific Oaks College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Pacific Oaks College and La Sierra University.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: La Sierra University 880/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: La Sierra University 18/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: La Sierra University - Test-free; Pacific Oaks College - Test optional.
• La Sierra University has a higher acceptance rate (91.5%) than Pacific Oaks College (34.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.3% at La Sierra University vs. 22.7% at Pacific Oaks College.

La Sierra University vs. Pacific Oaks College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for La Sierra University and Pacific Oaks College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from La Sierra University earn a median of about $9,800 more per year than Pacific Oaks College graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,900 vs. $42,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Pacific Oaks College graduates have a $9,033 lower median loan debt than La Sierra University graduates ($20,967 vs. $30,000).
• Among borrowers, Pacific Oaks College graduates have an estimated $94 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than La Sierra University graduates ($216 vs. $310).
• More La Sierra University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pacific Oaks College students, three years after graduation. (52% vs. 51%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.