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La Sierra University: Rankings, Cost, Programs, Placements
- Private University
150 acre campus- Estd. 1922
Last updated on 18 Aug '25LSUWhat's new?
The Winter intake application deadline is Nov 15, 2025 at La Sierra University.
About La Sierra University
Founded in 1922, La Sierra University is a private, Seventh-Day Adventist University in Riverside, California. The campus size of this university is 150 acres. La Sierra University is accredited with the Seventh-Day Adventist Church. It is acclaimed for its academic quality, community service emphasis, opportunities for research at both Undergraduate and Graduate level, and diverse student body. La Sierra University ranks at #43 in the 2025 edition of Best Colleges in Regional Universities West. It also ranks at #17 in the Best Value Schools category in 2025. Additionally, it ranks at #4 in 2025 in the Social Mobility category. Know details about Top Universities & Colleges in USA
La Sierra University offers more than 120 Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral degree programs. A few of the popular majors (UG) at this university are Criminal Justice, Pre-Nursing, Biology: Biomedical Science, Psychology, Business: Management, etc. As of Fall 2024, the total number of students enrolled at this university is 1,500+. The university accepts international students too. The top 5 origins of international students at this university are Canada, Kiribati, India, Mexico, and Brazil. The total number of Indian students enrolled in Fall 2024 is 11. In the context of admissions, La Sierra University acceptance rate is around 93%. This means that the university is easy to get into.
Things to Know about La Sierra University
La Sierra University acceptance rate is around 93%. This university is part of the higher education system of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church. Some of the important facts about La Sierra University are:
|
Particulars |
Stats |
|---|---|
|
Acceptance Rate |
93% |
|
GPA requirements |
2.5 - 3.5 |
|
Ranking |
#43 Regional Universities West |
|
Courses |
120+ |
|
No. of students |
1,500+ |
|
Popular majors |
· Business Administration and Management · Criminal Justice / Safety Studies · Marketing · Psychology |
History
La Sierra University was established in 1922 as La Sierra Academy. Then, in 1923, La Sierra Academy and Normal School became Southern California Junior College. Then, in 1939, Southern California Junior College became La Sierra College. The course offering expanded in 1953; first year of formal accreditation as a four-year Liberal Arts College.
Then, in 1967, La Sierra College merged with Loma Linda University as its College of Arts and Sciences. In 1990, the Loma Linda and La Sierra campus of Loma Linda University were reorganized as separate institutions. Four schools (The College of Arts and Sciences; the Schools of Education, Business, and Religion) and the Division of Continuing Studies became La Sierra University. In 2008, La Sierra was named to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll Program: Honor Roll with Distinction.
Commonly asked questions On Highlights
La Sierra University ranks at #43 in Regional Universities West as per a top-ranking publisher. It also ranks at #17 in the Best Value Schools category in 2025. La Sierra is an institution nationally acclaimed for its diverse campus and its service to others. The university offers a number of courses at UG and PG level. The university offers 120+ courses. This university accepts international students as well and India is one of the top origins of students are enrolled at this university.
As of Fall 2024, the total number of students enrolled at this university is 1,500+. The total number of UG students is 1,100+ and 340+ students are PG students. Student ethnicity is given below:
Particulars | Stats |
|---|---|
Hispanic or Latino | 744 |
Asian | 214 |
White | 184 |
Black or African American | 131 |
Non-Resident | 125 |
Two or more races | 92 |
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander | 21 |
Ethnicity Unknown | 7 |
American Indian or Alaska Native | 5 |
La Sierra University is a private university founded in 1922. The campus size of this university is 150 acres. It is located in Riverside, California. It is a part of the higher education system of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church. La Sierra University offers courses at the Undergraduate, Graduate, and Doctoral level. More than 1,500 students enrolled at this university in Fall 2024. In the context of rankings, this university ranks at #43 in the Regional University West in 2025.
La Sierra University Courses
More than 120 courses are offered at La Sierra University. Out of this, 80+ UG, 35+ Graduate, and 20+ Pre-Health courses are offered. At the UG level, some of the degrees that are available are BA, BFA, BSW, BS, etc. Study areas at the UG level are Arts, Accounting, Biology, Business Analytics, Chemistry, Computer Science, Graphic Design, etc. The duration of UG courses is around 4 years. The degrees that are available at the Graduate level are MA, MBA, and PhD. Some of the study disciplines are Business Analytics, Finance, Health Care Management, Human Resource Management, Marketing, etc.
According to the details available unofficially, some of the courses studied by La Sierra University alumni are Psychology; Business Administration and Management; Finance; Marketing; Health / Health Care Administration; Biology, etc. Know more about La Sierra University courses from here.
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Commonly asked questions On Popular Programs
La Sierra University offers over 120 courses. The most popular UG majors of the university are:
- Business Administration and Management
- Criminal Justice / Safety Studies
- Marketing
- Psychology
- Health Services Administration
- Pre-Nursing
- Biomedical Sciences
- Finance
- Social Work
Yes, La Sierra University offers a Pre-Professional Nursing program. It has a duration of 2 years. BSN prepares students for professional nursing in acute and community settings. After getting this degree, students can work in varied industries like Hospitals, Government, Nursing and Residential care facilities, etc.
La Sierra University offers more than 35 Graduate courses. The popular majors as of Fall 2024 are Counselling, Curriculum & Instruction, Administration & Leadership, Finance, etc. Other popular majors are listed below:
- Divinity
- School Psychology
- Health Care Management
- Educational Administration
- Instructional Leadership
La Sierra University Admissions 2025
To apply to La Sierra University, the applicants can submit the application online via the university’s direct application system. Admission intakes at this university are Summer, Fall, Spring, and Winter.
Admission Requirements for International Students
Indian students seeking admission to La Sierra University are required to meet the general requirements, which include fulfilling the academic requirements, GPA requirements, and English language proficiency requirements. General entry requirements are given below:
- UG: The applicants must have completed Class 10 and Class 12 education
- PG courses: The applicants should have a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent. For some courses, GRE / GMAT scores may also be required
- English language proficiency score: IELTS / TOEFL / Duolingo scores are accepted for admission.
Application Deadlines
La Sierra University has a rolling application system and the university will accept the applications for future term as per the deadlines. Here are the La Sierra University application deadlines:
|
Intake |
I-20 Application Deadlines |
|---|---|
|
Summer |
Apr 15, 2025 |
|
Fall |
Aug 15, 2025 |
|
Winter |
Nov 15, 2025 |
|
Spring |
Feb 15, 2026 |
Acceptance Rate
As per the details available unofficially, La Sierra University acceptance rate is around 93%. The acceptance rate justifies that the university is less selective at the time of admission.
Application Fee
There is no application fee to apply to La Sierra University.
Eligibility
For admission to La Sierra University, a few of the documents that are required to apply are:
- Academic transcripts of school education or colleges
- English language proficiency test score
- Financial guarantee form
- A copy of the passport
- Bank statement
- LOR
- Personal statement
- GRE / GMAT test score
- SAT / ACT score (optional)
- Application fees :No Fees
- Type of deadline :Rolling
Commonly asked questions On Admissions
La Sierra University GPA requirements vary as per the course level. For UG courses, a minimum of 2.75 GPA is required for admission. For graduate courses, the minimum GPA requirement varies as per the courses. For Graduate courses, the minimum GPA requirement ranges between 2.5 – 3.5. Additionally, the applicants are required to submit academic transcripts, English language proficiency score, passport, financial documents, etc.
International students at La Sierra University are required to submit IELTS / TOEFL / Duolingo scores. The minimum scores required in these tests are:
Tests | Minimum Scores |
|---|---|
IELTS | 6.5 or higher |
TOEFL | 79 or higher |
Duolingo | 120 or higher |
The application at La Sierra University is free. To apply to this university, students are required to apply via the university's direct application system. The documents required to apply are:
- Academic transcripts of school education
- Transcripts of colleges / universities attended
- English language proficiency test score
- A copy of the passport
- Financial guarantee form
- Bank statement
- Personal statement
- LOR
- Standardized test score
LSULa Sierra University Scholarships
La Sierra University offers scholarships to international students. A few of the merit scholarships available for international students are Renewable Merit Award, Presidential Scholar, La Sierra Academic Achievement Award, etc. The details of some of these scholarships are given below:
- Renewable Merit Award: Available for first-time freshmen students. The scholarship amounts are adjusted annually based on GPA information. First-time freshmen or international students without GPA information will be awarded at the 2.75 GPA level. The scholarship amount is based on achieved GPA and varies between USD 3,300 – USD 10,700 (Around INR 3 L – INR 9.12 L)
- Presidential Scholar: One high-achieving incoming freshman is going to receive this renewable award annually. A GPA of at least 3.5 and outstanding citizenship through demonstrated leadership, missions and voluntarism are required. The amount of this scholarship is USD 15,000 (Around INR 13.7 L)
Students can apply for the scholarship annually through the annual application. The scholarship committee decides which scholarship is the best fit for all the nominees.
Commonly asked questions On Scholarships
Yes, many scholarships are available to international students at La Sierra University such as the Renewable Merit Award, Presidential Scholar, La Sierra Academic Achievement Award, Sports Scholarship, etc. The details for a few of the scholarships are:
- Renewable Merit Award: This is available for first-time freshmen students at this university. The scholarship amounts are adjusted annually based on GPA information. First-time freshmen or international students without GPA information will be awarded at the 2.75 GPA level. The scholarship amount varies between USD 3,300 – USD 10,700 (Around INR 3 L – INR 9.12 L)
- Presidential Scholar: One high-achieving incoming freshman will receive this renewable award annually. A GPA of at least 3.5 and outstanding citizenship through demonstrated leadership, missions and voluntarism are required. The scholarship amount is USD 15,000 (Around INR 13.7 L)
Two types of scholarships are available at La Sierra University namely Committee Scholarships and Department Scholarships. Committee Scholarships are offered university-wide and awarded by the Endowed Scholarship Committee. On the other hand, the Department Scholarships are awarded by each academic department. Each department has its own process for selecting students for scholarship.
LSU Popular Courses
18 monthsLa Sierra University Placements
La Sierra University offers various career services to its students such as workshops which may include topics like cover letter / resume writing, job / internship search and career advising. Students will have access to career resources like Live Career and Stand Out, LinkedIn, and Handshake. Additionally, laptops are available for students to complete assessments, work on resumes and CVs, or do simple research.
Alumni Statistics: Sectors Placed
Some of the job sectors where the graduates of this university are working include Business Development, Healthcare Services, Operations, Sales, Community and Social Services, IT, Human Resources, etc.
Top Employers
Some of the top employers of the alumni of this university are:
- Loma Linda University Health
- Adventist Health
- Amazon
- S. Department of Veterans Affairs
- County of Riverside
Commonly asked questions On Placements
Yes, F-1 international students who maintain their F-1 student status are eligible to work on-campus. Students can work on-campus on a part-time basis (up to 20 hours per week). Note that the 20-hour per week limit is inclusive of all employment. Also, students can work full-time, up to 40 hours per week during the academic breaks. Know about Part-Time Jobs in USA
EXPO is the annual graduate school and career fair of La Sierra University. There are 60+ employers at this career fair. Students have a chance to connect with employers from various industries, explore graduate programs from universities, etc. It is a chance for students to discuss job opportunities, internships, networking leads, and future goals with recruiters.
As listed on the web, a few of the top recruiters of the graduates of La Sierra University are:
- Amazon
- Adventist Health
- Loma Linda University Health
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
- County of Riverside
La Sierra University Fees
The estimated La Sierra University tuition fee for first-year is around INR 16 lakh – INR 43 lakh. The tuition fees for UG and PG courses are given below:
|
Course level |
Annual Tuition Fee in INR |
|---|---|
|
UG |
INR 29.16 L - 42.61 L |
|
PG |
INR 15.9 L |
Living Expenses: There are a few other expenses that students have to pay apart from the tuition fee while studying at this university. These include accommodation fee, books & supplies, meals, etc.
|
Particulars |
Expenses Per Academic Year (2025-26) |
|---|---|
|
Room fees |
USD 5,100 – USD 9,200 |
|
Meals |
USD 4,700 – USD 7,300 – UG USD 2,256 - PG |
|
School of Business fee |
USD 150 |
| Courses | 1st Year Tuition Fees | Duration & Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
MBA/PGDM(1 course) | INR 17 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 18-24 months Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 79 & Above, Duolingo: 120 & Above |
B.E. / B.Tech(2 courses) | INR 30 L - 44 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 4 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 79 & Above, Duolingo: 120 & Above |
B.Sc.(1 course) | INR 43 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 4 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 79 & Above, Duolingo: 120 & Above |
Commonly asked questions On Fees and Eligibility
La Sierra University tuition fee for first-year is around INR 16 Lakh – INR 43 lakh. Since the tuition fee varies as per the courses, an estimated tuition fee as per the courses is given below:
Courses | 1st Year Tuition Fees |
|---|---|
MBA/PGDM (1 course) | INR 16 LGet Fee Details |
BE / B.Tech (2 courses) | INR 29 L - 43 LGet Fee Details |
BSc (1 course) | INR 41 LGet Fee Details |
Housing fee at this university can range as follows:
Particulars | Expenses Per Academic Year (2025-26) |
|---|---|
Room fees | USD 5,100 – USD 9,200 |
Meals | UG: USD 4,700 – USD 7,300 PG: USD 2,256 |
All students living in the dorms are required to purchase a meal plan of either 10 meals / week, 15 meals / week or 18 meals / week. Students who commute to the campus have access to the same delicious meals. The meal plan rates for the academic year 2025-26 are given below:
Traditional UG
Particulars | Expenses |
|---|---|
110 meals total + USD 125 flex | USD 4,710 |
160 meals total + USD 135 flex | USD 6,120 |
200 meals total + USD 150 flex | USD 7,311 |
Graduate and Non-Traditional UG
Particulars | Expenses |
|---|---|
Non-Traditional UG | USD 2,256 |
Graduate | USD 2,256 |
LSUStudent profile
UG Enrollment
PG Enrollment
La Sierra University Notable Alumni
Some of the names included in the notable alumni list of La Sierra University are Bill Emmerson, Gary Chartier, Patrick Crarey II, Hope Anita Smith, etc.
|
Names |
Designation |
Images |
|---|---|---|
|
Gary Chartier |
Legal scholar, Political Theorist, and Theologian |
 |
|
Katherine Siva Saubel |
Scholar, Educator, Tribal Leader, Author, and Activist |
 |
|
Bill Emmerson |
Former Senator |
 |
|
Patrick Crarey II |
Basketball Coach |
 |
|
Hope Anita Smith |
Poet and Author of Children’s Books |
 |
|
Barbara De Angelis |
Lecturer, Author, TV Personality, etc. |
|
Commonly asked questions On Alumni
Here are some of the names who have studied at La Sierra University:
Names | Designation |
|---|---|
Gary Chartier | Legal scholar, Political Theorist, and Theologian |
Katherine Siva Saubel | Scholar, Educator, Tribal Leader, Author, and Activist |
Bill Emmerson | Former Senator |
Patrick Crarey II | Basketball Coach |
Hope Anita Smith | Poet and Author of Children's Books |
Barbara De Angelis | Lecturer, Author, TV Personality, etc. |
La Sierra Vs University of Redlands Vs Claremont Graduate University
La Sierra’s acceptance rate is around 93%. The University of Redlands acceptance rate is 81% and that of Claremont Graduate University acceptance rate is around 35%. This means out of the 3 universities La Sierra is less selective and easy to get into. A comparison of these universities is given below:
|
Particulars |
La Sierra University |
University of Redlands |
Claremont Graduate University |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Acceptance Rate |
Around 93%. |
Around 81% |
Around 35%. |
|
Courses offered |
120+ |
15+ |
10+ |
|
1st year tuition fees |
Around INR 16 L – INR 43 L |
Around INR 29 L - 49 L |
Around INR 28 L – INR 64 L |
|
Shiksha Popularity Ranking |
- |
- |
#417 |
Compare LSU with other similar colleges
| College | 1st Year Tuition Fees | Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| INR 16.55 L | -/- | |
| INR 25.1 L | -/- | |
| INR 18.21 L | -/- | |
| INR 24.6 L | -/- | |
| INR 26.19 L | #242 US News, 2026 | |
| INR 12.74 L - 18.53 L | -/- |
CompareCommonly asked questions On Comparisons
Out of the 3 universities La Sierra is less selective and easy to get into. A comparison of these universities is given below:
Particulars | La Sierra University | University of Redlands | Claremont Graduate University |
|---|---|---|---|
Acceptance Rate | Around 93%. | Around 81% | Around 35%. |
1st year tuition fees | Around INR 16 L – INR 43 L | Around INR 29 L - 49 L | Around INR 28 L – INR 64 L |
Courses offered | 120+ | 15+ | 10+ |
Shiksha Popularity Ranking | - | #417 |
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La Sierra University Campus Life
After taking admission to La Sierra University, students have many things to do on-campus. They can take part in varsity athletic teams. There are over 50 clubs, intramural, club sports, and fun activities throughout the year. A few of the student organizations and clubs of the university are Coffee Club, Chess Club, Business Club, etc. Within a one-hour drive from this university, students can visit the beach, the mountains, or the City of Los Angeles.
Campus Location
The campus of La Sierra University is located in Southern California and the campus size is 150 acres.
Commonly asked questions On Others
For international students, La Sierra University has four residence halls for its Undergraduate and Graduate students. The university has a policy that students under 22 years of age can live in a residence hall. The Dining Commons (Cafeteria) at the university offers many food options.
The Golden Eagles (athletics team of La Sierra University) compete in the NAIA, Division II, California Pacific Conference. The nine intercollegiate teams of this university are Softball, Baseball, Basketball, Cross-Country, Volleyball, etc. Additionally, this university has more than 20 intramural teams for students.
While going to La Sierra University, students must keep the following things in mind:
- Minimize the luggage. Pack according to the climate
- If students have some additional boxes of clothes or things, they can ship those boxes directly to the university
- Small appliances like iron, hair dryer, etc. can be purchased once students arrive on campus
- Do bring your personal laptop
La Sierra University FAQs
The admission intakes at La Sierra University are Fall, Spring, Summer, and Winter. The applications at this university are accepted on a rolling basis. Generally, the applicants are required to submit the application as per the following deadlines:
Intake | I-20 Application Deadlines |
|---|---|
Summer | Apr 15, 2025 |
Fall | Aug 15, 2025 |
Winter | Nov 15, 2025 |
Spring | Feb 15, 2026 |
LSU
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 5 months ago
The general entry requirements to apply to La Sierra University are given below:
- UG: Class 10 and Class 12 education must be completed by the students
- PG courses: A Bachelor's degree or equivalent is required for admission. For some courses, GRE / GMAT scores are also required
- English language proficie
C
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 5 months ago
La Sierra University MBA in Finance course duration is 1.5-2 years. The first-year tuition is around INR 16 lakh. To pursue this degree, students must have a Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Administration or Economics. Because of the competition in this area, a Master's degree combined wit
C
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 5 months ago
As per unofficial sources, La Sierra University acceptance rate is around 93%. This means that the university is less selective at the time of admission. So, to get admission to this university, the applicants are required to meet all the entry requirements. For UG students, the applicants must have
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a year ago
La Sierra University cost to study depends on the tuition fee and living cost that a student has to bear. The first-year tuition fee is between INR 18 L – INR 30 L. The housing rates for the university are given below:
Undergraduate & Graduate Students
Room | Per Year Housing Cost |
|---|---|
Double occupancy room | USD 5,190 (INR 4.3 L) |
Single occupancy room (if applicable) | USD 9,204 (INR 7.6 L) |
Meal Plan for UG Students
Particulars | Per Year Plan Cost |
|---|---|
110 meals total + $125 flex | USD 4,410 (INR 3.6 L) |
160 meals total + $135 flex | USD 5,790 (INR 4.8 L) |
200 meals total + $150 flex | USD 6,945 (INR 5.7 L) |
Meal Plan for PG Student
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a year ago
Some of the popular undergraduate and graduate majors are given below. These are the popular majors listed by the university itself, as of Fall 2023
Undergraduate Majors
- Criminal Justice
- Pre-Nursing
- Biology: Biomedical Science
- Exercise Science
- Psychology
- Computer Science
- Business Management
- Nursing
- Health Sc
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