Biola University
La Mirada, California · Private Nonprofit · 74.4% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 50/100 · Below Average Value
Biola University scores 50/100, just on the Below Average Value side of the line. The picture is genuinely mixed. Strong indicators: 67.6% completion rate (74/100), 81.7% three-year repayment rate (75/100), and meaningful institutional aid that drops net price from $48,984 sticker to $31,495 average. Weaker indicators: median ten-year earnings of $56,778 against an earnings premium of just 17.3% (34/100), and a 12.2-year payback period. Debt-to-earnings of 0.617 is moderate. The four-year cost of $125,980 is steep against $23,875 median debt - meaning many families are paying out of pocket beyond what students borrow. Program-level outcomes vary dramatically: nursing produces $93,629 first-year earnings (B+ grade), accounting and communication disorders sciences both earn B grades. But large majors like psychology (68 graduates, F-adjacent D), biology, and kinesiology produce earnings in the $26-30K first-year range. With 3,474 enrolled, Biola is a meaningfully sized Christian liberal arts university where the average outcome is dragged down by enrollment patterns - many students choose lower-earning majors aligned with the school's faith mission. As of 2024-2025 Scorecard data, Biola's value depends entirely on major choice.
Biola University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $48,984/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $48,984/yr |
| Average net price | $31,495/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $125,980 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $56,778 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $38,700 |
| Median debt at graduation | $23,875 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $253 |
| Estimated payback period | 12.2 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 67.6% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 3,474 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Biola University is $48,984/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $31,495/year, or roughly $125,980 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $27,144/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $37,314/year.
The median graduate leaves with $23,875 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $253 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $56,778 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.62 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $27,144 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $25,410 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $26,825 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $29,846 |
| $110,001+ | $37,314 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families earning under $30,000 pay $27,144 per year, or roughly $109,000 over four years. The $30,001-$48,000 bracket actually pays less ($25,410), an inverted pattern worth noting. The numbers are heavy for lower-income families and federal aid alone won't cover them. Pursue maximum institutional scholarships and consider transfer-from-CC pathways.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
Households in the $48,001-$75,000 range pay $26,825 annually, slightly below the school-wide $31,495 average. Over four years that's $107,000 against $56,778 median ten-year earnings. The math is workable for students entering high-ROI majors (nursing, accounting); much harder for students choosing humanities tracks.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families above $110,000 pay $37,314 per year, or about $149,000 over four years - close to full sticker. At this bracket, Biola asks high-income families to pay near-list price. Compare aggressively to Westmont, Pepperdine, and similar California Christian privates with stronger merit-aid programs.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at Biola University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Psychology | $49,450 | D |
| Registered Nursing | $111,200 | B+ |
| Biology | $60,014 | D |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $29,298 | D |
| Communication Disorders Sciences | $69,087 | B |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $62,319 | C |
| Teacher Education | $51,566 | C+ |
| Communication and Media Studies | $53,781 | B |
| English Language and Literature | $43,154 | F |
| Music | $50,781 | F |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Registered Nursing
Nursing is Biola's clear standout: 55 graduates per year, $93,629 first-year earnings rising to $111,200 by year four against $29,375 median debt. Debt-to-earnings of 0.314 yields a B+ grade. RN licensure in the California labor market produces some of the strongest healthcare earnings in the country, and this program converts the Biola price into a defensible ROI. The single strongest reason to pay sticker here.
Accounting
Accounting produces 18 graduates with $65,246 first-year earnings and a striking $91,330 by year four - one of the strongest four-year growth trajectories. Debt-to-earnings of 0.366 yields a B grade. CPA-track students who pass the exam and enter Big Four or large regional firms see the strongest ROI; the program is small enough that mentorship and placement support are real differentiators.
Psychology
Psychology is Biola's largest program (68 graduates), but produces $26,764 first-year earnings rising to $49,450 by year four against $23,250 median debt. Debt-to-earnings of 0.869 and a D grade. Psychology majors typically need graduate school to convert into real earnings; the substantial faith-integration of Biola's program is a real differentiator for students aiming at counseling or ministry, but the bachelor's alone produces hard math.
Biology
Biology produces 42 graduates with $27,371 first-year earnings rising sharply to $60,014 by year four. Debt-to-earnings of 0.986 and D grade. The four-year growth pattern is consistent with pre-med pathways: students who reach medical, dental, or PA school see strong career trajectories; those who don't face strained early-career math. Plan the graduate-school pathway from day one.
Kinesiology and Exercise Science
Kinesiology produces 33 graduates with $29,298 first-year earnings against $26,062 median debt - a 0.890 ratio and D grade. Like biology, this major typically requires graduate or professional school (DPT, OT, athletic training certification) to reach real earning power. The bachelor's alone produces a hard early-career situation; treat it as preparation.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 78.4% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 81.7% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 81.8% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 84.3% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 74.4% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 560-670 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 600-700 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 24-29 |
| Enrollment | 3,474 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 26.0% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $10,336 |
Biola admits 74.4% of applicants with SAT mid-50% at 1160-1370 (560-670 math, 600-700 reading) and ACT composite 24-29. These are above-average ranges signaling a moderately selective student body. The 67.6% completion rate is consistent with the admissions filter. Compared to similarly-sized Christian universities, Biola pulls a stronger academic cohort, and the persistence numbers reflect that.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Among the peers, Azusa Pacific University is the closest match - another large Southern California Christian university with similar profile and modestly stronger ROI. Harding University (AR) is a comparable Christian liberal arts at a lower price point with stronger value metrics. Endicott College (MA) is a regional private with different mission but similar size. Art Center College of Design is a specialty arts school. Park University serves a different (military-affiliated) population. Biola's $56,778 median ten-year earnings outpace most peers, but the price gap means the ROI score lands in similar territory.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biola University (this school) | 50 | $31,495 | $56,778 |
| San Diego Christian College | 51 | $992 | $49,766 |
| Trevecca Nazarene University | 51 | $16,813 | $49,378 |
| Olivet Nazarene University | 50 | $20,729 | $53,213 |
| Taylor University | 50 | $24,865 | $52,198 |
| Campbell University | 49 | $24,516 | $54,886 |
Who Thrives Here
Biola fits Southern California and Western US students drawn to a sizable (3,474 enrolled) evangelical Christian university with strong academic infrastructure and clear faith integration. The 26% Pell rate is moderate. Outcomes vary sharply by major: students pursuing nursing, accounting, communication disorders sciences, or pre-professional tracks will see strong ROI. Students entering for the faith environment around a humanities or arts major should plan for graduate school or vocational pivots. The brand and network are real assets for graduates who tap them.
The Verdict: Proceed With Caution
The financial case for Biola University is mixed. At $31,495 per year net cost, graduates earn a median of $56,778 ten years after entry - a payback period of 12.2 years. That's below the average return for four-year institutions, and prospective students should carefully consider whether the investment aligns with their financial goals.
Key strengths include high loan repayment success. However, the data also shows weak earnings relative to cost.
Median debt of $23,875 against $56,778 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.