La Sierra University vs. RMC

Comparable Facts

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

La Sierra University is larger than RMC based on total student enrollment (1,574 students vs. 1,032 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

La Sierra University vs. RMC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, La Sierra University or RMC? 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 Rocky Mountain College than La Sierra University ($20,791 vs. $23,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rocky Mountain College are 24.4% lower than at La Sierra University ($10,152 vs. $13,431).
• La Sierra University is 6% more expensive for in-state tuition than RMC (about $2,128 more per year; $37,710.00 vs. $35,582.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6% higher at La Sierra University than at Rocky Mountain College (about $2,128 more per year; $37,710.00 vs. $35,582.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rocky Mountain College than at La Sierra University (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by La Sierra University students is 8.4% larger than aid received by Rocky Mountain College students ($27,646 vs. $25,508).

La Sierra University vs. RMC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, La Sierra University or RMC? 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 RMC and La Sierra University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at La Sierra University (1010) is the same as at RMC (1010).
• Incoming La Sierra University students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at RMC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: La Sierra University 880/1140; Rocky Mountain College 893/1133.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: La Sierra University 18/28; Rocky Mountain College 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: La Sierra University - Test-free; RMC - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman La Sierra University students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at RMC (3.42).
• La Sierra University has a higher acceptance rate (91.5%) than RMC (69.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.3% at La Sierra University vs. 28.6% at RMC.

La Sierra University vs. RMC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for La Sierra University and RMC? 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).

• Rocky Mountain College's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than La Sierra University's (32%).
• Graduates from La Sierra University earn a median of about $5,100 more per year than RMC graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,900 vs. $46,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Rocky Mountain College graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than La Sierra University graduates ($26,000 vs. $30,000).
• Among borrowers, RMC graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than La Sierra University graduates ($268 vs. $310).
• More RMC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former La Sierra University students, three years after graduation. (66% 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.