Pacific Oaks College

Pacific Oaks College offers 2 bachelor's degree programs with sufficient federal earnings data for ranking analysis. Adult and Continuing Education and Teaching ranks #6 nationally and #1 in California, graduating 61 students with median earnings of $52,982 and an exceptional value score of 97.7.

This program represents the institution's highest-earning pathway and demonstrates national recognition for quality outcomes. Adult Development and Aging ranks #5 nationally and #2 in California, graduating 96 students with median earnings of $44,499 and a strong value score of 95.8.

Both programs achieve top national rankings in their respective fields, with Adult Development and Aging representing the larger program with 61.2% of graduates. The exceptional value scores indicate both programs deliver strong returns relative to educational investment and demonstrate the institution's specialized expertise in adult-focused educational programming.

Pacific Oaks College admits approximately 10% of applicants, meaning roughly 1 in 10 applicants receives an offer of admission. This places Pacific Oaks College among highly selective institutions nationally, with an acceptance rate well below most four-year colleges.

The peer median admission rate of 75.6% highlights the stark difference between Pacific Oaks College's selectivity and typical private nonprofit institutions of similar size and mission. This level of selectivity means that even well-qualified students face meaningful uncertainty in the admission process, as the institution can only accommodate a small fraction of applicants.

For this reason, students considering Pacific Oaks College should build comprehensive college lists that include institutions with higher acceptance rates but comparable program quality and career outcomes. The college's specialized focus on adult development and education programs likely contributes to its selective nature, as it attracts applicants specifically interested in these fields.

Students should treat Pacific Oaks College as a reach school regardless of qualifications and ensure their application strategy includes institutions with more accessible admission rates that offer similar specialized programs in education and human development.

Pacific Oaks College operates as a private nonprofit institution with tuition of $33,360 annually, plus $2,028 for books and supplies. However, comprehensive cost data including room and board, total cost of attendance, and detailed financial aid information are not available, making it difficult to provide a complete picture of educational expenses.

The absence of net price data across income tiers prevents analysis of how costs vary by family financial circumstances, though the institution's high Pell share of 55.0% suggests many students receive substantial federal financial aid. Student borrowing patterns indicate meaningful debt levels, with median debt of $29,105 for graduates, ranking in the 2nd percentile nationally.

This debt level is $4,105 above the peer median of $25,000, suggesting higher educational costs or lower aid levels compared to similar institutions. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $10,412 with monthly payments of $137, indicating families supplement student aid with additional borrowing.

The limited cost data available suggests students should carefully evaluate the financial implications of attendance, particularly given the higher debt levels relative to peer institutions. Prospective students should request detailed cost information directly from the institution and explore all available financial aid options.

Pacific Oaks College graduates demonstrate modest earnings growth over time with strong performance relative to expectations. Median earnings increase from $47,962 six years after enrollment to $48,152 at eight years and $52,485 at ten years, representing 9.4% growth from the six-year mark.

While this trajectory shows gradual advancement, the ten-year cohort size of 151 graduates provides moderate confidence in reported outcomes. The institution achieves $9,008 in earnings beyond expectations, ranking at the 83.7th percentile nationally on this critical measure.

Earnings distribution spans from $29,853 at the 25th percentile to $66,594 at the 75th percentile, reflecting a 2.2:1 ratio between top and bottom quartile outcomes. Approximately 20.3% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for workforce entry and advanced education.

Compared to peer institutions with similar student demographics, Pacific Oaks College graduates earn $2,073 more annually, demonstrating the institution's effectiveness in supporting student success.