La Sierra University campus
La Sierra University logo

La Sierra University

Type 4 year, Private
Business Model Non Profit
Campus locale City: Large
Degrees offered Undergraduate and Graduate
Calendar system Quarter
Student body size Small
Dormitory capacity 850
Religious affiliation Protestant
Student to faculty ratio 16 to 1
Acceptance rate 66%
Students retention rate 72%
On-time graduation rate 45%

Located in Riverside, California, La Sierra University is a private, non profit institution that offers undergraduate and graduate degrees. La Sierra University operates on a quarter-based calendar system, dividing the academic year into four terms.

La Sierra University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission, ensuring that the institution meets certain standards of quality and effectiveness. This accreditation also allows students to transfer credits to other accredited institutions if they choose to continue their education elsewhere.

While the on-time graduation rate at La Sierra University is reported to be 45%, it is essential to consider the context of this statistic. For comparison, California state's graduation rate for the 2021-2022 was 56% whereas the national average was 58%.

The retention rate of students at La Sierra University is 72% , which is lower than both the state and national averages. The state average retention rate in California is 85%, while the national average is 74%. This indicates that a significant proportion of students who enroll at La Sierra University do not continue their studies after the first year.


  • Accredited by: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
  • The institution provides on-campus housing

Acceptance Rate

Fall 2021 admitted students

66.1%

In-State Tuition & Fees

$34,218

Cost of attendance at La Sierra University in 2022 for students from California.

See how the college's in-state sticker price compares to 4 year Non Profit, private colleges in the state as well as nationally.

California's average $6,749
National average $30,235

Out-of-State Tuition & Fees

$34,218

Cost of attendance at La Sierra University in 2022 for the out-of-state and international students

See how the college's out-of-state sticker price compares to 4 year Non Profit, private colleges in the state as well as nationally.

California's average $20,840
National average $30,238

Average Grant & Scholarships

In 2022, 100 of freshman students at La Sierra University received on average $20,812 in grant and scholarships from the college, the state and/or the federal government. Below is detail stats of the aid provided to full-time, freshman students.

$20,812
Students Receiving Aid Average Amount Total Amount
Pell Grant 138 51% $4,692 $647,431
Other Federal Grant 140 52% $5,066 $709,210
State Grant/Scholarships 131 49% $7,873 $1,031,312
Institutional Grant/Scholarships 269 100% $14,341 $3,857,821
Total Grant & Scholarships 269 100% $20,812 $5,598,343

Graduation Rate

The following chart shows the graduation rate of La Sierra University students who enrolled in 2015 and after. The stat covers all undergraduates registered as full-time students to study a 4-year bachelor's degree program for the first time.

The breakdown shows the graduation rate by race/ethnicity of US students. All international students are represented under one group.

As of August 31, 2021, the average graduation rate of La Sierra University students is 44.9%. Female students graduated at a rate of 41.9%, whereas male students graduated at a rate of 50.8%.

44.9%

  • asian 46.3% 25 students
  • African American 46.1% 6 students
  • white 48.7% 19 students
  • hawaiian 33.3% 2 students
  • hispanic 46.0% 97 students
  • International Students 31.0% 9 students
  • Mixed Race 50.0% 5 students

Athletic Associations

  • NAIA
    National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA)

Service Offerings

La Sierra University provides the following additional services to its students
  • Remedial services
  • Academic/career counseling services
  • Employment services for students

Educational Offerings

La Sierra University offers educational programs in the following categories. Check the programs section to learn more about specific programs that you are interested in.
  • Academic
  • Occupational

Special Learning Opportunities

  • Weekend/evening classes
  • Study abroad
  • Teacher certification

Veteran Services

  • Yellow Ribbon Program (officially known as Post-9/11 GI Bill, Yellow Ribbon Program)