La Sierra University vs. PUC

Comparable Facts

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

La Sierra University is larger than PUC based on total student enrollment (1,574 students vs. 974 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

La Sierra University vs. PUC Cost Comparison

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

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Pacific Union College than La Sierra University ($22,767 vs. $23,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific Union College are 26.9% lower than at La Sierra University ($9,816 vs. $13,431).
• La Sierra University is 1.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than PUC (about $537 more per year; $37,710.00 vs. $37,173.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.4% higher at La Sierra University than at Pacific Union College (about $537 more per year; $37,710.00 vs. $37,173.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pacific Union College than at La Sierra University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by La Sierra University students is 3.8% larger than aid received by Pacific Union College students ($27,646 vs. $26,629).

La Sierra University vs. PUC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, La Sierra University or PUC? 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 PUC and La Sierra University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Pacific Union College (1060) is 50 points higher than at La Sierra University (1010).
• Incoming La Sierra University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at PUC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: La Sierra University 880/1140; Pacific Union College 930/1190.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: La Sierra University 18/28; Pacific Union College 20/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: La Sierra University - Test-free; PUC - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman La Sierra University students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at PUC (3.24).
• La Sierra University has a higher acceptance rate (91.5%) than PUC (47.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.3% at La Sierra University vs. 14% at PUC.

La Sierra University vs. PUC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for La Sierra University and PUC? 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).

• Pacific Union College's six-year graduation rate (45%) is higher than La Sierra University's (32%).
• Graduates from Pacific Union College earn a median of about $7,300 more per year than La Sierra University graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,200 vs. $51,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Pacific Union College and La Sierra University graduates have the same median loan debt ($30,000 vs. $30,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Pacific Union College and La Sierra University graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($310 vs. $310).
• More PUC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former La Sierra University students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 52%)

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.