Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks La Sierra University #1430 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $6,282 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing La Sierra University in the 79.4 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks La Sierra University #912 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. ---
Azimuth ranks La Sierra University #1430 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private master's university in Riverside, California, La Sierra University enrolls roughly 1,116 undergraduates. The institution maintains a 77.3% freshman retention rate and a 59.7% six-year graduation rate, reflecting solid academic persistence among its student body. La Sierra University delivers meaningful long-term financial outcomes for its graduates. Azimuth ranks La Sierra University #912 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $6,282 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing La Sierra University in the 79.4 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. This performance reflects both the institution's concentration in Business — a field with strong labor-market demand — and its ability to support students into careers that continue to pay off over time. Access and affordability anchor the institution's profile. La Sierra University enrolls 47.2% Pell-eligible students and 39.6% first-generation college students, serving a population that benefits from broad access and transparent financial aid. Azimuth ranks La Sierra University in the 42.5 percentile for access and the 2.4 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. For many families seeking a private institution with manageable costs and solid career outcomes, La Sierra University offers a reliable path to long-term financial stability.
La Sierra University's published cost of attendance is $51,459. Financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $44,988, low-to-middle-income families pay around $44,593, middle-income families pay about $45,518, middle-to-higher-income families pay approximately $47,266, and higher-income families pay roughly $45,999. Azimuth ranks La Sierra University #1391 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. La Sierra University's aid structure is need-based, with financial aid available through federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional programs. The university works with families to bridge the gap between sticker price and what they actually pay through a combination of grants, scholarships, and loan options. Families apply for need-based aid using the FAFSA, and the university's financial aid office can provide personalized estimates based on individual circumstances. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $27,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $24,058; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $57,898, median federal debt of $27,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $305 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
La Sierra University is a strong fit for students interested in business, health, and applied fields who want a private university experience in CA. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $57,898, placing La Sierra University in the 32.9 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $6,282 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 79.4 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The university enrolls a significant share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 47.2% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 39.6% are first-generation — and delivers completion rates that place La Sierra University in the 34.3% percentile for Pell completion among nonprofit four-year institutions. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 91.5% admit rate makes the application process selective, and the program mix favors business and applied fields over pure research-oriented ones. Students whose interests align with those areas and who can navigate the application process will find the earnings trajectory and aid package among the strongest in the region.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the La Sierra University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Southern Virginia University Similar quality tier (#36187 ranked) | VA | 96% | $50,002 | #36187 | Compare |
Asbury University Similar quality tier (#36191 ranked) | KY | 63% | $42,368 | #36191 | Compare |
Benedictine College Similar quality tier (#36186 ranked) | KS | 98% | $53,175 | #36186 | Compare |
Sterling College Similar quality tier (#36192 ranked) | KS | 48% | $45,846 | #36192 | Compare |
Missouri Baptist University Similar quality tier (#36184 ranked) | MO | 69% | $46,660 | #36184 | Compare |
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
La Sierra University's published cost of attendance is $51,459. Financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $44,988, low-to-middle-income families pay around $44,593, middle-income families pay about $45,518, middle-to-higher-income families pay approximately $47,266, and higher-income families pay roughly $45,999.
Azimuth ranks La Sierra University #1391 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
La Sierra University's aid structure is need-based, with financial aid available through federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional programs. The university works with families to bridge the gap between sticker price and what they actually pay through a combination of grants, scholarships, and loan options.
Families apply for need-based aid using the FAFSA, and the university's financial aid office can provide personalized estimates based on individual circumstances. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $27,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $24,058; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions.
For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $57,898, median federal debt of $27,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $305 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of La Sierra University earn median 4-year earnings of $57,898, placing La Sierra University in the 32.9 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $6,282 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing La Sierra University in the 79.4 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks La Sierra University #912 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects La Sierra University's concentration in business and professional fields.
Health/Medical Preparatory Programs is the largest program with 75 graduates, anchoring the institution's degree output. The Criminal Justice program graduates 53 students earning median 4-year earnings of $53,902, performing at 1.0x the national benchmark for the field.
The Business Administration program graduates 33 students with median 4-year earnings of $56,939, at 0.8x benchmark. Digital Marketing and Social Work round out the top five, with 31 and 16 graduates respectively earning $48,040 and $69,244 at 0.7x and 1.3x benchmark performance.
This program mix — anchored in Business — supports consistent mid-career earnings outcomes across the institution's graduate cohort.
Social Work
16 graduates
Accounting and Related Services
5 graduates
Business Administration, Management and Operations
33 graduates
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
10 graduates
Criminal Justice and Corrections
53 graduates
La Sierra University's program mix is anchored in business and professional fields, reflecting the institution's applied, career-focused identity. Health/Medical Preparatory Programs is the largest program with 75 graduates, followed by Criminal Justice, Business Administration, Digital Marketing, and Social Work.
The dominant program family, Business, accounts for a substantial share of the institution's degree output across 14 total programs. Among the institution's highest-earning majors, Social Work leads with median earnings of $69,244 four years after enrollment and 16 graduates.
The Business Administration program graduates 33 students earning $56,939, while Kinesiology delivers median earnings of $55,711 for 10 graduates. Criminal Justice and General Studies round out the strongest-earning programs, with graduates earning $53,902 and $51,085 respectively.
This concentration in applied business and professional fields aligns with La Sierra University's positioning as a career-oriented private institution in Southern California. The program portfolio reflects a direct-to-workforce orientation where graduates enter professional roles in accounting, business administration, nursing, and related applied fields.
The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how these dominant program families align with regional and national labor-market demand in healthcare, finance, and business services.
