Students at the University of Redlands achieve meaningfully higher earnings than similar students at other institutions, with graduates earning about $8,070 beyond expectations ten years after enrollment.
This earnings advantage, combined with strong outcomes for low-income students, places Redlands among the top-performing private universities nationally for long-term financial returns.
The University of Redlands delivers strong long-term value through a combination of solid earnings outcomes and meaningful support for students from diverse backgrounds. As a mid-sized private nonprofit institution in California, Redlands graduates earn a median of $72,690 ten years after enrollment, placing the university well above average nationally for earnings performance. What makes this particularly noteworthy is that graduates earn about $8,070 more than similar students at other institutions, reflecting higher-than-expected earnings compared with peer schools.
The university serves a notably diverse student body, with 35% of students receiving Pell Grants and another 35% being first-generation college students. Despite this broad access mission, Redlands maintains strong graduation rates, with 71% of students completing their degrees within six years. The institution's "Mobility Engine" designation reflects its ability to combine meaningful access with solid outcomes, particularly for students from lower-income backgrounds who go on to earn competitive salaries.
As a private university in the Inland Empire region of Southern California, Redlands offers the personalized attention of a smaller institution while maintaining the academic breadth and career preparation that leads to strong post-graduation employment. For families seeking a balance of accessibility, academic quality, and long-term financial returns, Redlands represents a compelling option in the competitive California higher education landscape.
The University of Redlands demonstrates particular strength in business and professional programs that translate directly into career success. Business/Commerce leads both in scale and financial impact, with 122 graduates earning a median of $53,497, making it the university's highest aggregate return program. Business Administration and Management adds another 91 graduates at similar earnings levels, creating a substantial pipeline of business-ready professionals into the Southern California economy.
Psychology represents a popular pathway with 50 graduates, though early-career earnings of $32,569 reflect the field's typical trajectory where advanced degrees and experience drive longer-term earning potential. Specialized programs like Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology serve smaller cohorts with initial earnings around $25,194, but these licensed healthcare fields typically see substantial salary growth as professionals establish their practices and gain experience.
The program mix reflects Redlands' positioning as a comprehensive private university that balances professional preparation with liberal arts breadth. Business programs provide the largest economic engine for graduates, while psychology and health-related fields serve students interested in helping professions that often require additional training but offer meaningful career satisfaction and long-term earning potential.
University of Redlands graduates achieve strong long-term financial outcomes that consistently exceed expectations. Ten years after enrollment, the median graduate earns $72,690, placing the university well above average nationally for earnings performance. More importantly, graduates earn about $8,070 more than similar students at comparable institutions, demonstrating higher-than-expected earnings that reflect the university's ability to add meaningful value to student outcomes. This earnings advantage places Redlands in the top tier nationally for return on investment.
The university's program mix drives much of this strong performance, with business programs leading both in scale and financial returns. Business/Commerce graduates, representing the largest cohort at 122 students, earn a median of $53,497 and generate the highest aggregate return for the institution. Business Administration and Management, with 91 graduates earning $53,244, provides another substantial pathway to solid career outcomes. Psychology represents a popular choice with 50 graduates, though at more moderate early-career earnings of $32,569, while specialized programs like Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology serve smaller cohorts with earnings around $25,194 that typically grow substantially as professionals advance in these licensed fields.
The university's location in Southern California provides access to diverse employment markets, from Los Angeles to San Diego, where graduates can leverage their degrees across multiple industries. The consistent pattern of higher-than-expected earnings suggests that Redlands effectively prepares students for career advancement and provides networking and placement support that translates into measurable financial benefits over time.
The University of Redlands maintains relatively consistent net pricing across income levels, with some advantages for middle-income families. Low-income students pay about $21,520 annually, while middle-income families see slightly lower costs at $20,649 per year. High-income families face higher net prices around $32,855, reflecting the typical private university pricing structure where institutional aid is concentrated among students with the greatest financial need.
Debt levels at Redlands are moderate and manageable relative to the strong earnings outcomes graduates achieve. Typical federal student loan debt is $26,000, which represents a reasonable investment given the median earnings of $72,690 ten years out. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $23,686, a level that many families find sustainable when spread across standard repayment terms. The university maintains a 0% federal loan default rate, indicating that graduates are successfully managing their debt obligations.
What makes Redlands particularly sustainable from an affordability perspective is the combination of predictable pricing and strong post-graduation earning power. With graduates earning well above national averages and demonstrating higher-than-expected earnings compared with similar institutions, most borrowers find themselves in a comfortable position to handle standard loan repayment. The university's track record of loan repayment success, with over 80% of borrowers making progress on their balances, reflects this positive dynamic between manageable debt levels and strong career outcomes.
University Of Redlands Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
