University of Redlands
Redlands, California · Private Nonprofit · 82.7% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 71/100 · Fair Value
University of Redlands scores 71 (Fair Value) on the CampusROI scale. Sticker tuition of $60,878 and a net price of $30,031 produce a $120,124 four-year cost -- high for a regional Southern California liberal arts institution. Median 6-year earnings of $48,700 and a 67.3% completion rate produce a 6.9-year payback period, which is reasonable for this price tier. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.534 sits in Fair Value range. Business Administration and Accounting are the strongest programs: Business Administration and Management (120 graduates, $72,664 year-one, $85,066 four-year, ROI grade C+) and Business Administration Management and Operations (118 graduates, $60,755 year-one, $85,278 four-year, ROI grade B) dominate the graduate volume with strong outcomes. Accounting (6 graduates, $67,359 year-one, ROI grade B) performs well at low volume. The weaker end of the distribution -- Communication Disorders (42 graduates, F-grade, debt-to-earnings 1.171), Biology (35 graduates, D-grade), and Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies (84 graduates, D-grade) -- pulls the institutional average down. The repayment rate of 75.6% indicates a non-trivial share of borrowers are struggling. The Southern California location provides meaningful labor market access for business completers.
University of Redlands
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $60,878/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $60,878/yr |
| Average net price | $30,031/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $120,124 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $72,690 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $48,700 |
| Median debt at graduation | $26,000 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $276 |
| Estimated payback period | 6.9 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 67.3% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 2,049 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at University of Redlands is $60,878/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $30,031/year, or roughly $120,124 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $28,287/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $38,257/year.
The median graduate leaves with $26,000 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $276 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $72,690 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.53 - 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 | $28,287 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $25,728 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $26,196 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $25,767 |
| $110,001+ | $38,257 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Students in the 0-30000 income bracket pay $28,287 net price per year -- $113,148 over four years. The 30001-48000 bracket pays $25,728. These are high net prices for lower-income students at a regional private. The 36.5% Pell rate suggests Redlands does enroll lower-income students, but the $28,000+ annual cost and 67.3% completion rate create financial risk. Low-income students who complete business programs at Redlands can achieve positive return; non-completers face a difficult debt situation.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 48001-75000 bracket pays $26,196 per year; the 75001-110000 bracket pays $25,767 -- slightly lower, reflecting a compression in the aid formula. This near-flat pricing between the two middle bands ($26k vs. $25.8k) is unusual and means middle-income families across a wide income range face similar costs. At roughly $26,000 per year, Redlands is priced competitively for Southern California private colleges.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
The 110001-plus bracket pays $38,257 per year -- $153,028 all-in. At this price point, only business graduates reaching $72,000-$85,000 in the first years after graduation justify the investment from a pure ROI standpoint. Communication Disorders (F-grade, year-one $21,354) and Biology (D-grade, year-one $30,047) at full pay would require 20+ years to recover costs. The Fair Value score at ROI 71 reflects the average; individual program outcomes drive the actual financial result.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at University of Redlands with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management | $85,066 | C+ |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $85,278 | B |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $53,260 | D |
| Psychology | $55,739 | C+ |
| Natural Resources Conservation | $57,319 | C |
| Communication Disorders Sciences | $71,767 | F |
| Biology | $66,639 | D |
| English Language and Literature | $50,810 | C+ |
| Romance Languages | $67,126 | D |
| Music | $59,275 | C+ |
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.
Business Administration and Management
Business Administration and Management leads Redlands by graduate volume with 120 graduates, $72,664 year-one, $85,066 four-year, debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.516 (ROI grade C+). The high year-one figure of $72k is strong for a regional California private and reflects placement into the Inland Empire, Los Angeles, and San Bernardino County business sectors. The C+ grade rather than B reflects the $37,500 median debt -- high relative to the earnings produced. Students who borrow near the institutional ceiling will see payback periods above the institutional average.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
A second business program designation produces 118 graduates, $60,755 year-one, $85,278 four-year, debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.444 (ROI grade B). The four-year convergence to $85k for both business tracks confirms that Redlands business graduates generally reach the mid-$80k range within four years of graduation. The B-grade at 0.444 debt-to-earnings reflects lower debt ($27,000 median) for this program cohort compared to the other business track.
Natural Resources Conservation
Natural Resources Conservation has 48 graduates with $46,164 year-one and $57,319 four-year, debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.563 (ROI grade C). This is a program that fits the Redlands environmental setting and the California sustainability sector, but the $57k four-year figure reflects the entry-level earnings cap in environmental and conservation fields. Students should evaluate whether graduate education is part of their plan, as the four-year Scorecard earnings do not capture the uplift from professional degrees in environmental law or resource management.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 71.4% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 75.6% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 76.1% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 80.8% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 82.7% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 547-670 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 560-680 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 21-28 |
| Enrollment | 2,049 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 36.4% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $10,565 |
At 82.7%, University of Redlands is broadly accessible. SAT mid-ranges (547-670 Math, 560-680 Reading) and ACT 21-28 reflect moderate preparation. The wide SAT band reflects a diverse applicant pool. Admission is not a constraint; program completion and career placement are the more consequential outcomes to investigate before enrollment.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
University of Redlands' Scorecard peers include Art Center College of Design, Azusa Pacific University, Le Moyne College, Wheaton College, and Seattle Pacific University. ROI scores for these specific peers are not available in current files. Within Southern California private liberal arts colleges, Redlands (ROI 71) competes with Occidental College, Whittier College, and Chapman University. The business program strength is the key differentiator -- Redlands' $72k+ year-one business earnings are competitive with peers at similar price points.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Redlands (this school) | 71 | $30,031 | $72,690 |
| Azusa Pacific University | 71 | $22,212 | $66,677 |
| Wheaton College | 70 | $26,975 | $63,756 |
| Le Moyne College | 70 | $22,277 | $62,731 |
| Seattle Pacific University | 68 | $24,488 | $64,506 |
| Art Center College of Design | 56 | $48,661 | $71,958 |
Who Thrives Here
University of Redlands admits 82.7% of applicants and enrolls 2,049 undergraduates in Redlands, California. SAT mid-ranges are 547-670 Math and 560-680 Reading; ACT composite 21-28. The Pell grant rate of 36.5% indicates meaningful economic diversity. Students drawn to the Inland Empire location, business careers, or environmental studies in Southern California will find the program mix relevant. The relatively high net price ($30,031) and the 67.3% completion rate mean students need deliberate program selection and a clear career path to realize strong ROI.
The Verdict: A Reasonable Bet - With Caveats
University of Redlands offers fair financial value, though the ROI depends heavily on individual circumstances. The net cost of $30,031 per year leads to $120,124 over four years, while graduates earn a median of $72,690 a decade out. The payback period of 6.9 years is about average - not bad, but not a standout either.
Median debt of $26,000 against $72,690 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
NewsletterCollege decisions are better with data.
New analyses, updated school profiles, and tools - when there’s something worth acting on.
Rankings & Links
Guides & Tools
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.