Biola University vs St Catherine University
Biola University and St. Catherine University, while both offering a faith-based education, present distinct experiences for prospective students. Biola, a private Christian university in La Mirada, California, boasts a lower acceptance rate (58%) compared to St. Catherine's 85% in St. Paul, Minnesota. Biola's student body is predominantly female (61%), while St. Catherine's is nearly evenly split between genders. Both universities offer a range of popular majors, including nursing, business, and education, but Biola has a stronger emphasis on Bible and theology programs. With a higher graduation rate (75% vs. 68%), Biola may appeal to students seeking a rigorous academic environment. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more distinctions and make an informed decision about your educational journey.
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![]() Biola University |
![]() St Catherine University |
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Overview |
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Location | La Mirada, California | Saint Paul, Minnesota |
Campus setting | Suburb: Large | City: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | 4-1-4 |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 88.0% | 76.0% |
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No | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Undenominational | Catholic |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 60.8% | 74.9% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$45
Graduate:
$65
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$60 |
SAT range | 1103 - 1348 | 890 - 1210 |
ACT range | 22 - 29 | 19 - 26 |
Students submitting SAT score | 26.0% | 1.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 11.0% | 50.0% |
Total number of applicants | 4,354 | 1,561 |
Total number of admissions given out | 2,646 | 1,169 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 655 | 313 |
Yield rate | 24.8% | 26.8% |
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 |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $59,500 | $59,774 |
Average net price | $29,123 | $19,252 |
Tuition | $44,382 | $45,600 |
Room & board | $10,202 |
Room/dormitory:
$5,700
Meal plan:
$3,900
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
100.0%
Average amount $28,421 |
99.0%
Average amount $32,230 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
47.0%
Average amount $4,897 |
53.0%
Average amount $5,006 |
Students taking out private loans |
7.0%
Average amount $15,279 |
4.0%
Average amount $10,822 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
3,596
Men 38.0% Women 62.0% |
2,585
Men 4.3% Women 95.7% |
Graduate students |
1,955
Men 54.5% Women 45.5% |
1,319
Men 10.9% Women 89.1% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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Low
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Out-of-state students | 28.6% | N/A |
International students | 9.2% | 0.8% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Large | City: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 2,750 | 800 |
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 | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 13:1 | 9:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 69.9% | 59.4% |
Dropout rate | 6.1% | 8.8% |
Transferred out | 22.7% | 30.3% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Doctoral Degrees)
Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Education, General (Master's Degrees)
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Music (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Religious Education (Bachelor's Degrees)
Theological and Ministerial Studies (Master's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctoral Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate's Degrees)
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Bachelor's Degrees)
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Associate's Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Master's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
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