La Sierra University vs. Menlo

Comparable Facts

Compare La Sierra University in Riverside, CA with Menlo College in Atherton, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

La Sierra University is larger than Menlo based on total student enrollment (1,574 students vs. 810 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• La Sierra University is located in Riverside, CA (Large City setting); Menlo College is in Atherton, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• La Sierra University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Menlo College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: La Sierra University 12:1; Menlo College 14:1.

La Sierra University vs. Menlo Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, La Sierra University or Menlo? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at La Sierra University than Menlo ($23,848 vs. $32,563).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at La Sierra University are 26.3% lower than at Menlo College ($13,431 vs. $18,236).
• Menlo College is 42.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than La Sierra University (about $15,920 more per year; $53,630.00 vs. $37,710.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 42.2% higher at Menlo than at La Sierra University (about $15,920 more per year; $53,630.00 vs. $37,710.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Menlo College than at La Sierra University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Menlo College students is 41.7% larger than aid received by La Sierra University students ($39,174 vs. $27,646).

La Sierra University vs. Menlo Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, La Sierra University or Menlo? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Menlo and La Sierra University.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: La Sierra University 880/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: La Sierra University 18/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: La Sierra University - Test-free; Menlo - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Menlo Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman La Sierra University students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at Menlo (3.3).
• La Sierra University has a higher acceptance rate (91.5%) than Menlo (68.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.3% at La Sierra University vs. 5.3% at Menlo.

La Sierra University vs. Menlo Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for La Sierra University and Menlo? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Menlo College's six-year graduation rate (34%) is higher than La Sierra University's (32%).
• Graduates from Menlo College earn a median of about $2,000 more per year than La Sierra University graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,900 vs. $51,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Menlo College graduates have a $8,938 lower median loan debt than La Sierra University graduates ($21,062 vs. $30,000).
• Among borrowers, Menlo graduates have an estimated $93 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than La Sierra University graduates ($217 vs. $310).
• More Menlo graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former La Sierra University students, three years after graduation. (55% vs. 52%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.