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Colleges / La Sierra University

La Sierra University

Riverside, CA 4-Year Private
Acceptance Rate57%

La Sierra University Tuition Information

In 2021, tuition for full-time students at La Sierra University was $33,912 a year.

Tuition increased 2.06% in 2023–from $33,228 the previous year. Usually, college tuition goes up about 3% every year.

Remember, the total cost of tuition isn't necessarily what you will have to pay to attend a school. Many students owe far less than the sticker price after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are applied. And, student loans can make thecost of college more manageable until you're done with college.

La Sierra University meets 59.3% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student at La Sierra University is around $31,646 a year.

Graduates in the class of 2023 had an average of $28,675 in student loans per borrower.

La Sierra University: In-state vs. Out-of-State Tuition

La Sierra University is a private, religious institution, which means it has the same tuition for students from California as it does for residents from other states.

Public schools receive funds from the state to help them cover costs. These institutions offer reduced tuition for students who are residents of that state.

Choosing a college where you qualify for in-state residency can cut the cost of college tuition. Be sure to verify your state's guidelines for how to qualify for as an in-state resident. Each state has different requirements to qualify as in-state resident. In many states, students must have lived in the state for 12 months before starting school to qualify for in-state tuition. There may be other criteria too, depending on where you live.

Explore other California colleges

Is La Sierra University's Tuition Different for International Students?

Tuition at La Sierra University is the same for each student.

Students from outside of the U.S. are not eligible for federal financial aid, but should research private or school-specific grants, scholarships, and other funding opportunities. International students who demonstrate financial need may be eligible for the following types of financial support at La Sierra University:

•On-campus jobs •Loans from outsideLa Sierra University •La Sierra University-specific loans •La Sierra University-specific scholarships

International students without financial need may be eligible for merit-based institutional scholarships and athletic awards.


La Sierra University Room, Board, Fees, and More


Tuition is not the only cost of attending college; room and board, books, transportation and fees are also costs it consider when planning for college. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at La Sierra University.

Room and Board Costs at La Sierra University

Housing and campus dining at La Sierra University is $8,970 a year. This includes the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, and a meal plan that allows you to eat all or some of your meals the La Sierra University's on-campus cafeterias and dining facilities.

Meal-plan costs can depend on the number of meals you intend to eat on-campus

How Much Do Books Cost at La Sierra University?

First-year students are sometimes surprised by how much books and supplies cost–and not in a good way. The real cost of books depends on the courses you take and the materials required. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy books from students who have already taken the course.

Annual Fees

The majority of colleges charge some yearly fees to offsets cost associated with maintaining facilties, like the library, gym and computer labs.

Keep in mind, there could also be other costs associated with participating in certain activities, like joining a fraternity or sorority, or participating in sports or other extracurriculars. Most colleges offer ways for students with demonstrated need to get help covering these fees.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: Transportation costs at La Sierra University

The total cost of getting around in college can really vary. Will you drive, fly, or take public transportation to school? Will you need to pay to park on-campus? Is the campus walkable? Do you own a car, or will you need to use public transportation? All of these factors can make a big difference in your estimated cost of transportation. Keeping in mind, first-year students are allowed to park a car on campus.

The location of a college or university can also have a big effect on your transportation budget. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the flip side, getting around in an urban area is sometimes pricey, but cities may offer more trains, busses or low-cost flight options to actually get to school. La Sierra Universityis in a suburb in California, near Los Angeles.

Other Costs

When budgeting for college, don’t forget to consider the cost of things like movies, takeouts, furniture or appliances for your dorm or housing, and essentials like laundry detergent, toothpaste and toilet paper.


Total Tuition and Expenses at La Sierra University


Now, let’s do a rundown of all of the costs associated with college, to get a better idea of the actual cost of attending La Sierra University.

Total Cost of La Sierra University

What will the cost of attending La Sierra University be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
Tuition $33,912
Room and Board $8,970

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Total Estimated Costs
On-Campus $45,222
Off-Campus $36,252

The breakdowns above provide a good estimate of the total cost of attendance before financial aid and scholarships. Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.


La Sierra University Financial Aid


In 2023, 863 of the 1,862 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. La Sierra University meets 59.3% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $31,646 a year. Around 77.2% of La Sierra University undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. La Sierra University graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $28,675 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans $32,350
La Sierra University-Specific Loans $1,801
Private Loans $30,002
Most Common Loans for La Sierra University Students
Federal Loans 76.7%
Institutional Loans 11.7%
Private loans 8.9%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on La Sierra University financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at La Sierra University

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2023, La Sierra University awarded 857 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $17.6 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $3.55 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Net Cost of La Sierra University

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for La Sierra University students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at La Sierra University was $31,646 in 2023. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of La Sierra University seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
On-Campus $13,576
Off-Campus $4,606

What will attending La Sierra University really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families make more informed decisions about the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the La Sierra University's net cost calculator on their website.

La Sierra University Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Students cannot pay tuition in installments. Contact the financial aid office to verify this and discuss options.

La Sierra University Tuition Waivers

Schools sometimes offer tuition waivers to certain groups, to make attending more affordable. Some colleges offer tuition waivers for employees and their family members, underrepresented students, or military students. Even with a tuition waiver, students are usually responsible for housing, meal plans, and other expenses.

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

La Sierra University's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

La Sierra University's endowment was valued at $17.2 million in 2023, compared to a national average of $905 million. For each full-time student, La Sierra University spends about $8,751 a year.


Learn More About La Sierra University


Click below to find out more about the admissions requirements and deadlines, student life, academics, majors and more.

Overview

Student Life

Academics

Admissions

Connect with other students, parents, and admissions professionals to learn more about about La Sierra University in the College Confidential forums

La Sierra University Tuition & Fees

Tuition & Fees

$45,222

In State

$45,222

Out-of-State
Cost Breakdown
In State
Out-of-State
State Tuition
$33,912
$33,912
Fees
$990
$990
Housing
$8,970
$8,970
Books
$1,350
$1,350

La Sierra University Financial Aid

Students Who Receive Need-Based Aid

75%

Average Financial Aid Package

$24,673

Data Source: IPEDs and Peterson's Databases © 2022 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved

Quick Facts

Total Enrollment

2,278

Campus Setting

Suburban

Acceptance Rate

57%

Tuition and Fees

In State

$34,902

Out-of-State

$34,902

Fall Freshmen
Application Deadline

Continuous processing
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