Biola University vs Palm Beach Atlantic University

Biola University and Palm Beach Atlantic University, both esteemed Christian institutions, offer unique educational experiences to their students. Biola, located in La Mirada, California, boasts a higher acceptance rate (75%) compared to Palm Beach Atlantic's (65%) in West Palm Beach, Florida. While Biola's student body is predominantly female (58%), Palm Beach Atlantic maintains a more balanced gender ratio. Both universities offer a diverse range of undergraduate programs, with Biola excelling in the fields of Bible and Theology, and Palm Beach Atlantic excelling in Business, Management, and Marketing. Biola's graduation rate stands at 68%, while Palm Beach Atlantic's is slightly higher at 70%. To help you make an informed decision, we have compiled a comprehensive comparison table that delves into these aspects and more, allowing you to assess which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Biola University	Palm Beach Atlantic University
Overview
Location	La Mirada, California	West Palm Beach, Florida
Campus setting	Suburb: Large	City: Midsize
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	88.0%	71.0%
Common app member	No	Yes
Religious affiliation	Undenominational	Interdenominational

Admission
Acceptance rate	60.8%	89.9%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $45 Graduate: $65	$50
SAT range	1103 - 1348	1030 - 1240
ACT range	22 - 29	20 - 26
Students submitting SAT score	26.0%	77.0%
Students submitting ACT score	11.0%	31.0%
Total number of applicants	4,354	1,923
Total number of admissions given out	2,646	1,728
Admitted students who chose to enroll	655	505
Yield rate	24.8%	29.2%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Not required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$59,500	$53,668
Average net price	$29,123	$27,881
Tuition	$44,382	$33,538
Room & board	$10,202	Room/dormitory: $5,872 Meal plan: $5,256
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Prepaid tuition plan Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	100.0% Average amount $28,421	99.0% Average amount $23,465
Students receiving federal student loan	47.0% Average amount $4,897	51.0% Average amount $5,286
Students taking out private loans	7.0% Average amount $15,279	6.0% Average amount $14,922

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	3,596 Men 38.0% Women 62.0%	2,837 Men 37.0% Women 63.0%
Graduate students	1,955 Men 54.5% Women 45.5%	850 Men 34.9% Women 65.1%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Low
Out-of-state students	28.6%	52.3%
International students	9.2%	4.4%
Campus local/setting	Suburb: Large	City: Midsize
Dormitory capacity	2,750	1,228
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	California Washington Oregon Texas Colorado	Florida New York New Jersey Pennsylvania Michigan

Academics
Popular study areas	Theology Health Professions Education Philosophy and Religious Studies Psychology	Health Professions Business Visual & Performing Arts Kinesiology & Leisure Studies Communication and Journalism
Students to faculty ratio	13:1	12:1
Institutional accreditation	Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome
Graduation rate	69.9%	60.8%
Dropout rate	6.1%	36.5%
Transferred out	22.7%	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $78,482 Year 2: $74,576 Year 3: $86,424 Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $73,587 Year 2: $62,012 Year 3: $72,963 Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $37,111 Year 2: $44,711 Year 3: $53,447 Education, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $49,980 Year 2: $51,273 Year 3: $52,274 Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $31,574 Year 2: $26,585 Year 3: $44,140 Music (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $28,811 Year 2: $39,369 Year 3: $43,156 Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $30,228 Year 2: $35,772 Year 3: $41,681 Religious Education (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $23,993 Year 2: $26,933 Year 3: $41,017 Theological and Ministerial Studies (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $40,448 Year 2: $38,289 Year 3: $40,971 Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $27,443 Year 2: $25,194 Year 3: $40,650	Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $95,539 Year 2: $113,354 Year 3: $121,395 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $56,430 Year 2: $60,689 Year 3: $57,694 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $62,359 Year 2: $54,996 Year 3: $55,997 Student Counseling and Personnel Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $42,682 Year 3: $45,575 Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $42,682 Year 3: $44,914 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $39,523 Year 3: $40,886 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $33,875 Year 2: $36,668 Year 3: $40,718 Human Resources Management and Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $36,924 Year 2: $40,392 Year 3: $40,381 Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $33,527 Year 2: $36,151 Year 3: $36,801 Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $27,547 Year 2: $32,925 Year 3: $36,792

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between Biola University and Palm Beach Atlantic University?

Biola University, located in Southern California, is a non-denominational Christian university known for its strong emphasis on biblical integration across all disciplines and its robust graduate programs. Palm Beach Atlantic University (PBA), situated in Florida, is an interdenominational Christian university with a focus on Workship, Service, and Learning, and offers a more intimate campus environment in a vibrant city setting. Biola tends to have a larger student body and a wider range of academic programs, while PBA emphasizes community engagement and a personalized educational experience.
How do the academic programs at Biola and Palm Beach Atlantic compare?

Biola University offers a broader range of undergraduate and graduate programs, including a renowned film school and a seminary. They are known for programs in business, psychology, and theology. Palm Beach Atlantic University provides a more focused selection of programs, with strengths in pre-med, nursing, business, and communication. PBA integrates a 'Workship' component into its curriculum, emphasizing service and experiential learning. Both universities offer strong liberal arts foundations.
What is the campus environment like at each university?

Biola University has a more traditional, suburban campus setting in La Mirada, California, offering a wide array of student activities and organizations due to its larger size. Palm Beach Atlantic University boasts a downtown location in West Palm Beach, Florida, providing students with easy access to cultural events, internships, and a lively city atmosphere. PBA's campus is smaller and more intimate, fostering a close-knit community.
How do the religious affiliations of Biola and Palm Beach Atlantic differ?

While both are Christian universities, Biola University is non-denominational, attracting students from various Christian backgrounds. Palm Beach Atlantic University is interdenominational, with ties to various denominations, but emphasizes a broadly evangelical Christian perspective. Both universities require students to attend chapel services, but the specific style and focus may vary.
What are the tuition and financial aid options like at Biola and Palm Beach Atlantic?

Tuition costs at both Biola University and Palm Beach Atlantic University are comparable to other private universities. Both institutions offer a range of financial aid options, including scholarships, grants, and loans. It's best to visit their respective financial aid websites and use their net price calculators to get a personalized estimate of the cost of attendance based on your individual circumstances. Factors like academic merit, demonstrated need, and program of study can influence financial aid packages.
What are the career services and internship opportunities available at each university?

Both Biola University and Palm Beach Atlantic University offer career services to assist students with internships, job searching, and career development. Biola's location in Southern California provides access to a wide range of industries, including entertainment, technology, and business. Palm Beach Atlantic's location in West Palm Beach offers opportunities in finance, healthcare, and tourism. PBA's 'Workship' program also provides unique service-oriented internship experiences.
What is the student life like at Biola versus Palm Beach Atlantic?

Biola University, with its larger student body, offers a more diverse range of clubs, organizations, and activities, including intramural sports, student government, and various ministry opportunities. Palm Beach Atlantic University fosters a close-knit community with a focus on service and spiritual development. Social life at PBA is often centered around campus events, community outreach, and exploring the vibrant city of West Palm Beach. Both universities have strong residential life programs.
What are the admission requirements for Biola and Palm Beach Atlantic?

Both Biola University and Palm Beach Atlantic University require prospective students to submit transcripts, standardized test scores (though test-optional policies may apply, so check their websites), letters of recommendation, and a personal essay. Biola may place a greater emphasis on a student's Christian faith and involvement in their church or Christian community. Palm Beach Atlantic also considers a student's commitment to service and leadership. It's crucial to review the specific admission requirements on each university's website for the most up-to-date information.
Which university is a better fit for me?

The best university for you depends on your individual preferences and goals. If you're seeking a larger university with a wide range of academic programs and a strong emphasis on biblical integration, Biola University might be a good fit. If you prefer a smaller, more intimate campus environment in a vibrant city setting with a focus on service and experiential learning, Palm Beach Atlantic University could be a better choice. Consider visiting both campuses, talking to current students, and exploring the academic programs that interest you to make an informed decision.
Do Biola and Palm Beach Atlantic have similar graduation rates?

While specific graduation rates can fluctuate year to year, both Biola University and Palm Beach Atlantic University generally have graduation rates that are competitive with other private universities. You can find the most recent graduation rates on the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard website or on each university's website. Factors such as student preparedness, academic support services, and campus culture can influence graduation rates.

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