Students at the University of La Verne achieve earnings that far exceed expectations, with graduates earning nearly $19,000 more than similar students at comparable institutions.
This earnings advantage, combined with strong outcomes for low-income students, demonstrates the university's effectiveness at translating educational investment into meaningful career success.
The University of La Verne is a medium-sized private nonprofit institution in California that excels at supporting students from diverse backgrounds while delivering strong long-term financial outcomes. Nearly half of students receive Pell Grants and over 50% are first-generation college students, yet the university maintains a 65% six-year graduation rate and produces graduates who earn a median of $65,464 ten years after enrollment. This combination of broad access and solid outcomes places La Verne in the "Mobility Engine" category among institutions nationwide.
What distinguishes La Verne is its ability to generate earnings that significantly exceed expectations. Graduates earn nearly $19,000 more than similar students at comparable institutions, reflecting the university's effectiveness at translating educational investment into career success. The university's business programs, which graduate over 450 students annually, serve as a particular strength, combining high enrollment with strong earning potential.
As a private institution in Southern California, La Verne offers the personalized attention and support systems typical of smaller universities while maintaining the program diversity and career connections needed for strong post-graduation outcomes. For families who can navigate the higher private school costs, La Verne delivers measurable value through its track record of helping students from all backgrounds achieve meaningful economic mobility.
The University of La Verne's program portfolio reflects a practical focus on career-oriented fields that lead to stable employment and solid earnings. Business Administration and Management dominates the landscape, graduating 452 students annually with median earnings around $50,640 ten years out. This program serves as the university's economic engine, combining high enrollment with strong financial outcomes that drive overall institutional performance.
Public Administration represents the highest-earning specialty, with 25 graduates achieving median earnings of approximately $60,094, demonstrating the value of focused professional programs. General Studies, while serving 132 students as a pathway for diverse academic interests, shows more modest earnings around $30,988, reflecting its role as a foundational rather than specialized degree.
The university's strength lies in its ability to serve students across different academic preparation levels while maintaining pathways to career success. Business programs provide the scale and employer connections that support strong job placement, while specialized programs like Public Administration offer targeted preparation for specific career tracks. This balanced approach allows La Verne to serve both students seeking broad professional preparation and those with specific career goals.
Graduates of the University of La Verne achieve strong long-term financial outcomes that significantly outperform expectations. Ten years after enrollment, they earn a median of $65,464, placing the university in the 70th percentile nationally for earnings performance. More impressive is the university's value-added earnings advantage of nearly $19,000 above what similar students earn at comparable institutions, demonstrating La Verne's effectiveness at translating education into career success.
The university's program mix drives much of this strong performance. Business Administration and Management stands out as both the largest program, graduating 452 students, and the highest aggregate return major, with graduates earning around $50,640 ten years out. Public Administration graduates achieve some of the highest individual earnings at roughly $60,094, while programs like General Studies show more modest outcomes around $30,988. This variation reflects La Verne's diverse academic portfolio, which serves students with different career goals and academic backgrounds.
The university's location in Southern California provides access to diverse employment markets, from Los Angeles business centers to growing inland regions. With over 750 graduates earning more than $75,000 annually, La Verne demonstrates consistent ability to prepare students for well-paying careers across multiple industries and sectors.
Affordability at the University of La Verne reflects the typical private university cost structure, with significant variation based on family income levels. Low-income students pay approximately $26,754 annually after aid, while middle-income families face costs around $54,632 per year. High-income families see net prices of about $44,064, which represents substantial institutional aid even for families with higher earnings capacity.
Debt levels remain manageable relative to the university's strong earnings outcomes. Typical graduates carry about $23,500 in federal student loan debt, while families who choose Parent PLUS loans borrow an average of $21,000. With graduates earning a median of $65,464 ten years out, most borrowers can handle standard repayment terms comfortably. The university maintains a 0% federal loan default rate, indicating that graduates successfully manage their debt obligations.
While La Verne's private university pricing places it in the lower tier nationally for affordability, the institution's strong earnings outcomes and comprehensive financial aid help offset higher upfront costs. The combination of need-based aid for low-income students and merit aid across income levels makes the university accessible to families who prioritize the personalized attention and support systems that characterize the La Verne experience.
University Of La Verne Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
