“A progressive Quaker-rooted institution in Pasadena dedicated to social justice, human development, and equity-centered education.”
Pacific Oaks College is a small, progressive private institution located in Pasadena, California, founded on Quaker principles of social justice, equity, and deep respect for human dignity. Established in 1945 as Pacific Oaks Friends School and formalized as a degree-granting college in 1958, the institution has cultivated a distinctive identity centered on human development, early childhood education, and therapeutic practice. It is designated a Hispanic-Serving Institution by the U.S. Department of Education and prioritizes inclusive, culturally responsive pedagogy across all programs. The student body is predominantly composed of working adults, career changers, and community-engaged learners drawn to the college's anti-bias and social justice mission. Pacific Oaks offers undergraduate and graduate programs primarily in Human Development, Early Childhood Education, Business Administration, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Organizational Leadership and Management. Programs emphasize experiential and practicum-based learning, with graduates prepared for licensure and careers in education, counseling, social services, and organizational management. Classes are offered in flexible formats including on-campus, fully online, and hybrid modalities to accommodate working professionals. Small class sizes foster close faculty-student relationships and encourage collaborative, reflective learning communities grounded in social justice principles. The college is located near Old Town Pasadena, providing students with access to the cultural and professional amenities of greater Los Angeles. Pacific Oaks does not maintain on-campus residential housing, making it a commuter and online institution. International students benefit from a dedicated Diversity Scholarship available to all F-1 and J-1 visa holders, and the CARE office provides immigration advising, academic support, and culturally centered student services throughout enrollment.
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 SourceRolling Admission
Applications accepted year-round with multiple start dates each semester; online students have up to 6 start dates per year
The deep admissions playbook beyond the headline acceptance rate — round-by-round breakdowns, nationality data, requirements, and contact paths.
Domestic
$32,040 – $32,520
/yr
Out-of-State / Intl
$32,040 – $33,840
/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.
Undergraduate and graduate programs in Early Childhood Education and Teacher Education aligned with California credentialing requirements and anti-bias curriculum frameworks.
Interdisciplinary programs focused on lifespan human development, community psychology, and applied social sciences.
Professional programs combining business fundamentals with social justice frameworks for leaders in nonprofit, corporate, and community settings.
Graduate MFT programs with specialized tracks in African American and LatinX Family Studies, preparing students for California LMFT licensure.
2 years
A comprehensive MFT program preparing graduates for California LMFT licensure with specialized tracks in African American and LatinX Family Studies that center cultural competency in therapeutic practice.
4 years
An interdisciplinary program exploring human growth and development across the lifespan, applicable to careers in education, social services, counseling, and community organizations.
2 years
A leadership program integrating business acumen with social justice frameworks, designed for professionals seeking advancement in nonprofit, community, and corporate organizations.
Where alumni go after graduation — top industries, grad-school continuation, and the qualitative outcomes story.
Sticker price (annual, out-of-state): $32,520
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.
