Biola University vs Arizona Christian University

Biola University and Arizona Christian University, both rooted in Christian values, offer distinct educational experiences. Biola, located in La Mirada, California, boasts a higher acceptance rate (75%) compared to Arizona Christian University's (ACU) 68%. Biola's student body is more diverse, with 44% identifying as non-white, while ACU's student body is predominantly white (79%). Both universities offer a range of popular majors, including Business, Psychology, and Education, but Biola has a stronger emphasis on the liberal arts and sciences. ACU, on the other hand, excels in nursing and health professions. With similar graduation rates, both institutions provide a solid foundation for their graduates to pursue their career aspirations. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover which university aligns best with your academic goals and personal preferences.
Arizona Christian University logo

Arizona Christian University

Biola University logo

Biola University

Overview

Location Glendale, Arizona La Mirada, California
Campus setting Suburb: Large Suburb: Large
College type 4 year 4 year
Control/business model Private (Non Profit) Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system Semester Semester
Degrees offered Undergraduate Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate 48.0% 88.0%
Common app member No No
Religious affiliation Undenominational Undenominational

Admission

Acceptance rate 75.9% 60.8%
Application fees
Undergraduate: $45

Graduate: $65
SAT range 960 - 1170 1103 - 1348
ACT range 16 - 23 22 - 29
Students submitting SAT score 13.0% 26.0%
Students submitting ACT score 22.0% 11.0%
Total number of applicants 1,222 4,354
Total number of admissions given out 928 2,646
Admitted students who chose to enroll 311 655
Yield rate 33.5% 24.8%
Test scores (SAT/ACT) N/A N/A
High school GPA Required Required
Recommendation letters Not required Not required
High school transcript Not required Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) Required Required

Tuition and Fees

Sticker price $49,424 $59,500
Average net price $32,412 $29,123
Tuition $28,874 $44,382
Room & board
Room/dormitory: $4,775

Meal plan: $5,670
$10,202
Available payment plans
  • Tuition payment plan
  • Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

100.0%
Average amount $15,438
100.0%
Average amount $28,421
Students receiving federal student loan 93.0%
Average amount $4,172
47.0%
Average amount $4,897
Students taking out private loans 14.0%
Average amount $15,137
7.0%
Average amount $15,279

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 1,053
Men 60.7% Women 39.3%
3,596
Men 38.0% Women 62.0%
Graduate students N/A 1,955
Men 54.5% Women 45.5%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Moderate
Moderate
Out-of-state students N/A 28.6%
International students 3.1% 9.2%
Campus local/setting Suburb: Large Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity 540 2,750
First year students are required to live on campus? No No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from N/A California Washington Oregon Texas Colorado

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Business
  • Education
  • Psychology
  • Theology
  • Biological and Biomedical Sciences
  • Theology
  • Health Professions
  • Education
  • Philosophy and Religious Studies
  • Psychology
Students to faculty ratio 18:1 13:1
Institutional accreditation Higher Learning Commission Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission

Outcome

Graduation rate 35.8% 69.9%
Dropout rate 53.3% 6.1%
Transferred out 10.8% 22.7%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $34,250
  • Year 2: N/A
  • Year 3: N/A
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $38,933
  • Year 2: N/A
  • Year 3: N/A
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $78,482
  • Year 2: $74,576
  • Year 3: $86,424
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Doctoral Degrees)
  • Year 1: $73,587
  • Year 2: $62,012
  • Year 3: $72,963
Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $37,111
  • Year 2: $44,711
  • Year 3: $53,447
Education, General (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $49,980
  • Year 2: $51,273
  • Year 3: $52,274
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $31,574
  • Year 2: $26,585
  • Year 3: $44,140
Music (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $28,811
  • Year 2: $39,369
  • Year 3: $43,156
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $30,228
  • Year 2: $35,772
  • Year 3: $41,681
Religious Education (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $23,993
  • Year 2: $26,933
  • Year 3: $41,017
Theological and Ministerial Studies (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $40,448
  • Year 2: $38,289
  • Year 3: $40,971
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $27,443
  • Year 2: $25,194
  • Year 3: $40,650

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