At $28,101/yr net price, Biola University graduates earn $56,778/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $22,778/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $28,101 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $112,404 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $56,778/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$22,778/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 68.8% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $23,875 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $23,001/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $21,504/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $25,038/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $28,830/yr |
| $110,001+ | $35,263/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business/Commerce, General. | Master | $90,856 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $74,576 | $29,000 |
| Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology. | Doctoral | $63,328 | |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | Doctoral | $62,012 | $152,555 |
| Philosophy and Religious Studies, Other. | Master | $53,775 | $43,500 |
| Education, General. | Master | $51,273 | $19,797 |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $47,260 | $24,906 |
| Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language. | Master | $47,260 | |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Bachelor | $44,711 | $21,500 |
| Bible/Biblical Studies. | Master | $41,565 | $29,727 |
The Risk Factor
68.8% of students at Biola University graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 31% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Biola University gives you a middling financial return. At $28,101 a year in net price and median earnings of $56,778 ten years out, you can recover your costs, but the payoff depends heavily on which major you pick. The 85% retention rate and 69% graduation rate mean most people who start finish, so the risk of paying for years and leaving with no degree is lower here than at many private schools.
Nursing is the clear winner. It pays roughly $75,000, about $30,000 more than the next program on the list, and that gap easily covers the extra $5,000 in debt nursing grads carry. Computer science and business land in the mid-$40,000s, which is decent but not remarkable for those fields. Political science and music both come in around $40,000 while carrying $24,000 to $26,000 in debt, so those degrees leave you paying down loans on a modest salary.
The main financial risk is the mismatch between Biola's price and the earnings of its non-nursing majors. If you graduate in music with $26,417 in debt and a $39,369 salary, the math is tight for years.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay around $21,000 to $23,000, less than families over $110,000 who pay $35,263. Note the dip: the $48-75k tier pays more than the tier below it, so a modest income bump can cost you.
Biola fits you if you're headed into nursing or a technical field and want a private Christian school. If you're drawn to music, political science, or the arts, look hard at the debt-to-salary math before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Biola University worth the cost?
Biola's graduates earn $56,778 after 10 years, which is below average for the $28,101 annual cost. The school's Christian focus and specific programs like nursing provide value for students seeking faith-based education, but purely financial returns are modest.
What are the best paying majors at Biola University?
Business graduates from Biola earn around $90,856 after 10 years, making it the highest-paying program. Nursing graduates earn $74,576, which offers solid career prospects in a growing field.
How much student debt do Biola University graduates have?
Biola graduates leave with a median debt of $23,875, which is manageable compared to many private schools. However, lower starting salaries mean debt payments may take longer to handle comfortably.
Does Biola University have good financial aid?
Biola's net price of $28,101 represents significant aid from the full sticker price. The school provides substantial financial assistance, though costs remain high relative to typical graduate earnings in many programs.