Biola University vs. UCSC

Should I go to Biola University or University of California Santa Cruz? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Biola University or UCSC is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Biola University vs. University of California Santa Cruz comparison
Biola University University of California Santa Cruz College 3 College 4
Biola University University of California Santa Cruz
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Overview

Biola University UCSC
Location La Mirada, CA Santa Cruz, CA
Setting Large Suburban Small City
Enrollment 5,387 19,478
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #245 #222
Religious Affiliation Undenominational - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website biola.edu ucsc.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Biola University UCSC
Tuition (In State) $44,382 $11,564
Tuition (Out of State) $44,382 $41,636
Room & Board $10,522 $18,185
Avg Net Price $31,522 $17,975
Avg Grant Aid $26,521 $21,202
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 68%

Admission

Biola University UCSC
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,224 65,912
Admitted 2,392 30,926
Acceptance Rate 56.6% 46.9%
Enrolled % 29.5% 12.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.61 3.63
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Very High
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 23/30 25/33
SAT Range 1105/1365 1160/1360
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Nov 30, 2023

Academics

Biola University UCSC
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 23:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (19%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (13%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (12%)
  • Psychology (10%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Social Sciences (17%)
  • Biology (14%)
  • Psychology (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
  • Business (9%)

Outcomes

Biola University UCSC
Graduation Rate 71% 73%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $48,900 $50,400
Making Student Loan Payments 75% 74%
Median Student Loan Debt $24,500 $19,959
Median Loan Payment $253 $206

Diversity

Biola University UCSC
% Men 45% 50%
% Women 55% 50%
Racial Diversity Very High Very High
HBCU No No
% White 49% 33%
% Black 2% 2%
% Hispanic 19% 31%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 6% 7%
% International 3% 4%
% Unknown Race 2% 2%

Students

Biola University UCSC
% In-State 65% 90%
% Out-of-State 28% 7%

Campus

Biola University UCSC
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of California Santa Cruz is larger than than Biola University based on total student enrollment (19,478 students vs. 5,387 students)

Biola University vs. UCSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Biola University or UCSC?

  • Biola University is 283.8% more expensive to attend than UCSC for in-state tuition ($44,382.00 vs. $11,564.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 6.6% higher at Biola University than University of California Santa Cruz ($44,382.00 vs. $41,636.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of California Santa Cruz than Biola University ($17,975 vs. $31,522)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Biola University are 72.8% lower than costs at University of California Santa Cruz ($10,522 vs. $18,185)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Biola University than University of California Santa Cruz (100% vs. 68%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Biola University students is 25.1% larger than aid received University of California Santa Cruz ($26,521 vs. $21,202)

Biola University vs. UCSC Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Biola University or UCSC? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between UCSC or Biola University .

  • The average SAT score at University of California Santa Cruz (1201) is 86 points higher than at Biola University (1115)
  • Incoming UCSC students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (28) than students at Biola University (25)
  • Accepted freshman UCSC students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.63) than students at Biola University (3.61)
  • Biola University has a higher acceptance rate (56.6%) than UCSC (46.9%)

Biola University vs. UCSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Biola University or UCSC? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between UCSC and Biola University.

  • The graduation rate at UCSC is higher than Biola University (73% vs. 71%)
  • Graduates from University of California Santa Cruz earn on average $1,500 more per year than Biola University graduates after ten years. ($50,400 vs. $48,900)
  • University of California Santa Cruz students graduate with a $4,541 lower median federal student loan debt than Biola University graduates. ($19,959 vs. $24,500)
  • UCSC graduates are paying $47 less per month on federal student loans than Biola University graduates. ($206 vs. $253)
  • More Biola University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCSC students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 74%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/