Biola University is a private evangelical Christian research university founded in 1908 as the Bible Institute of Los Angeles (the name 'Biola' is a retained acronym) and located on a 95-acre suburban campus in La Mirada, California — roughly 22 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles, with easy access to both LAX and Orange County's tech and creative industries. Biola enrolls approximately 6,300 students (about 3,500 traditional undergraduates) across six schools: the Crowell School of Business, Rosemead School of Psychology, Snyder School of Cinema and Media Arts, School of Education, School of Fine Arts and Communication, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, School of Science, Technology and Health, and the Talbot School of Theology. Every undergraduate completes a 30-unit biblical and theological studies core regardless of major, which is the single most distinctive feature of a Biola degree. Academically, Biola is one of the most respected institutions in the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU) — US News ranks it one of the top three CCCU schools in the national university category. Its standout programs include the Talbot School of Theology (whose Master of Arts in Christian Apologetics is considered among the world's leading apologetics programs), the Rosemead School of Psychology (one of the first programs in the US to integrate clinical psychology training with Christian theology, offering a Ph.D. and Psy.D.), the Snyder School of Cinema and Media Arts (with deep industry ties in Hollywood and a competitive BFA track), and a strong Crowell School of Business. The undergraduate Nursing BSN is highly selective with clinical placements across Southern California health systems. Biola offers 47 undergraduate majors and 150+ total degree programs from B.A. through Ph.D. For international students, Biola's appeal combines Southern California location (Los Angeles-area internships, tech and entertainment access, mild weather), a close-knit Christian community, and a tiered English-proficiency admissions pathway that lets applicants who don't yet meet the standard minimums enter through the English Language Scholars bridge program. Admission is guaranteed for applicants who meet full standard requirements (TOEFL 80 / IELTS 6.5 / Duolingo 125) and committee-review is available for lower scores (TOEFL 70 / IELTS 6.0 / Duolingo 110-124). Biola also extends its merit scholarship process to international applicants, so international students receive the same automatic scholarship consideration as domestic applicants. The Eagles compete in NCAA Division II Pacific West Conference.
Visa, OPT, H-1B alumni outcomes, and acceptance rates by country — sourced from FOIA, USCIS H-1B Hub, and DHS SEVIS.
Test Optional — You can submit scores if they help your case, but they're not required.
Official SourceThe deep admissions playbook beyond the headline acceptance rate — round-by-round breakdowns, nationality data, requirements, and contact paths.
Tuition & Fees (All Students)
$50,904 – $51,375
/yr
Beyond the sticker price — every named scholarship, the financial aid policy, need-aware notes, and a personalized net-cost estimate.
How life on campus actually feels — clubs, sports, traditions, housing realities, and how the school integrates with its city.
Biola's flagship graduate seminary, offering MDiv, multiple MAs (including Christian Apologetics, Classical Theology, Spiritual Formation), DMin, Ed.D., and Ph.D. programs. Online, in-person, and worldwide pathways available.
Nationally recognized for integrating clinical psychology training with Christian theology. Offers PhD and PsyD in clinical psychology.
ACBSP-accredited business school with undergraduate and MBA programs grounded in Christian ethics and Southern California business networks.
Highly selective film, writing, and media arts programs with deep Hollywood-industry ties.
Houses Nursing (BSN), Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, and Engineering programs; strong pre-health pipelines.
4 years
Biola's signature major, and the foundation of the 30-unit biblical-studies core every Biola undergraduate completes. Feeds directly into Talbot School of Theology graduate pathways.
4 years
Highly selective film production program with deep Hollywood-industry ties and L.A. internship placements. Students complete capstone film projects with industry mentors.
2 years
Considered one of the world's leading apologetics programs, training students to defend the Christian faith through philosophy, history, and theology.
Where alumni go after graduation — top industries, grad-school continuation, and the qualitative outcomes story.
Sticker price (annual, out-of-state): $48,984
Net-cost estimate is US-resident-only — international applicants are typically excluded from need-based aid at most schools and should treat the sticker price as the planning baseline.
