
University of La Verne
U.S. News National 2027
#208
Up 5 from 2026
Acceptance rate
71.2%
2025
Peer median 75.7%
Tuition per year
$49,470
$65,300 with room and board
Peer median $43,383
Undergraduates
3,050
Student-faculty ratio 10:1
Peer median 12 : 1
Graduation rate
52.5%
4-year; 6-year rate 63.0%
Peer median 57.6%
“Peers” are the 30 closest-ranked private national universities, the same comparison used in this page's data notes.
About
The University of La Verne is an independent, non-profit private institution located in the suburban community of La Verne, California, nestled in the foothills east of Los Angeles. Operating without any religious affiliation, the university delivers four-year undergraduate degrees alongside an array of master's and doctoral credentials. In the 2027 U.S. News Best Colleges rankings, La Verne stood at rank 208 among National Universities. The institution serves a student body drawn largely from Southern California, with core academic divisions spanning the arts and sciences, business, education, and health disciplines. Graduate education features programs in public administration, educational leadership, and psychology, addressing regional workforce demands across local school districts, public agencies, and healthcare organizations. Situated within close proximity to major metropolitan hubs, the university combines small-college classroom settings with access to the diverse professional landscape of greater Los Angeles, catering to both traditional college learners and adult professionals pursuing advanced degrees.
Attending the University of La Verne represents a substantial financial expense paired with modest student retention and degree completion outcomes. In 2025, undergraduate tuition was $49,470, placing the institution higher than 73% of peer private comprehensive universities with similar rankings. Despite this high cost, student persistence after the first year remains a notable institutional challenge. The university recorded a first-year retention rate of 64.5% in 2025, which was lower than all peer schools in its comparison cohort. Degree completion similarly indicates that many undergraduates take extended paths toward graduation. Over a longer window, the six-year graduation rate reached 63%, with the four-year graduation rate remaining lower. For prospective applicants and their families weighing educational value, these metrics highlight the need to evaluate academic support and personal readiness before enrolling, as initial retention lags considerably behind comparable private institutions across the country.
This collegeRanked colleges nearby
- Setting
- Suburb of a large city
- Nearest major city
- Riverside, about 25 mi
- Nearest international airport
- Ontario International Airport (ONT), about 10 mi
- Also known as
- La Verne
- Academic calendar
- Semester
- Religious affiliation
- Not applicable
- President
- Risa Dickson (President)
- Phone
- 9095933511
- City
- La Verne, California
- Address
- 1950 Third St, La Verne, CA 91750-4401
Rankings & Admission
Peer median 75.7% · the 30 closest-ranked private national universities
Acceptance rate by gender, 2025
In 2020: men 53.8%, women 55.4%.
Best #112, lowest #213, latest #208 over the last ten years.
Data insights
Admission to the University of La Verne is relatively accessible, but the university encounters noticeable hurdles in convincing accepted applicants to enroll. In the 2027 U.S. News rankings, the university stood at rank 208, reflecting a softer competitive position than in previous years. For 2025, the overall acceptance rate was 71.2%, which is higher than 40% of 30 private comprehensive universities with similar rankings. While this broad acceptance rate signals an accessible admissions door for qualified candidates, matriculation patterns reveal a different dynamic. The yield rate reached only 9.8%, placing it higher than just 13% of peer schools in that comparison cohort. When less than one in ten admitted applicants chooses to register, it typically indicates that prospective undergraduates view the university as an alternative option alongside competing institutions. Applicants can expect favorable odds of receiving an offer, though the institution's standing suggests families should carefully weigh academic offerings against their long-term expectations.
School and Program Rankings
U.S. News school and program rankings · Click a school to see its programs, and a program for its full ranking
Undergraduate Rankings · 2027 edition
Social Sciences and Humanities1 programs—
Graduate Rankings · 2026 edition
Health Specialty1 programs—
Ranks in blue are top 10 · ▲▼ change from the previous edition · “—” means no overall ranking for that school · Medical schools are ranked in tiers since the 2025 edition
Test Scores
2025 admitted students, 25th–75th percentile · 5% submitted SAT, 2% submitted ACT · SAT/ACT optional: considered if submitted
Data insights
Prospective applicants to the University of La Verne encounter an accessible admissions threshold based on reported academic profiles. For the enrolled class of 2025, the median SAT score was 1095, which is higher than 9% of peer private comprehensive universities with similar rankings. Standardized tests play a limited role in current enrollments, as the vast majority of entering undergraduates did not submit exam results. To provide practical context for global applicants, applicant cases collected by Forward Pathway, which are unofficial data rather than official institutional reports, show admitted international students with a median unweighted high school GPA of 3.44 and a median SAT score of 1155. These figures indicate that applicants with solid secondary school marks and mid-range test results fit well within the competitive range for admission. For prospective students planning their applications, maintaining consistent high school coursework offers a dependable pathway toward meeting the university's academic standards.
How Hard Is It to Get In
about 7 in 10
7,110 applicants in 2025, 71.2% admitted
5,060 admitted 2,050 not admitted Yield 9.8%
Degrees & Majors
Graduates in 2025 (first major)
U.S. studentsInternational
Popular graduate programs
- Business Administration and Management, General · Master's126 (21% international)
- Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services · Master's107 (0% international)
- Law · Doctoral88 (2% international)
- Elementary Education and Teaching · Master's77 (0% international)
- Organizational Behavior Studies · Master's60 (7% international)
- School Psychology · Master's33 (0% international)
Data insights
Academic degrees at the University of La Verne are noticeably concentrated in professional tracks, though none of its academic disciplines rank within the national top 100. In 2025, undergraduate conferrals clustered heavily around a few popular subjects, with the top three bachelor's majors accounting for 41.3% of all undergraduate degrees. The single largest bachelor's program was Business Administration and Management, General, which produced 182 graduates, followed in size by General Psychology and Exercise Science. Despite their substantial enrollment, these prominent undergraduate majors do not hold top national rankings, as the university's best graduate and undergraduate program placements fall outside the top 100. For graduates entering the workforce, career outcomes vary widely depending on the chosen field of study. According to 2023 earnings data, bachelor's recipients in Public Administration achieved the highest median earnings one year after graduation at $75,236, followed by computer science and accounting alumni.
All majors, graduates and earnings IPEDS · College Scorecard
*Depends on whether majors have graduates in 2025 or not, Yes / No
**Move mouse on can check deitaled graudates number, click for major detailed information
***Due to privacy policy, graduate salaries are not shown for some majors that has few gradautes
| Major | Graduate Salary | Associate | Under | Master | Doctor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business/Commerce, General. | - | ||||
| Business Administration and Management, General. | $60,188-$96,545 | ||||
| E-Commerce/Electronic Commerce. | $60,188-$96,545 | ||||
| Organizational Leadership. | $60,188-$96,545 | ||||
| Accounting. | $62,716 | ||||
| Finance, General. | - | ||||
| Organizational Behavior Studies. | $86,184 | ||||
| International Business/Trade/Commerce. | - |
| Major | Graduate Salary | Associate | Under | Master | Doctor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Education, General. | $34,846 | ||||
| Educational Leadership and Administration, General. | - | ||||
| Special Education and Teaching, General. | - | ||||
| Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services. | - | ||||
| Elementary Education and Teaching. | - | ||||
| Secondary Education and Teaching. | - |
| Major | Graduate Salary | Associate | Under | Master | Doctor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Psychology, General. | $30,151 | ||||
| Clinical Psychology. | - | ||||
| School Psychology. | - | ||||
| Psychology, Other. | - |
| Major | Graduate Salary | Associate | Under | Master | Doctor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Social Sciences, General. | - | ||||
| Anthropology, General. | - | ||||
| Criminology. | $43,506 | ||||
| Economics, General. | - | ||||
| International Relations and Affairs. | - | ||||
| Political Science and Government, General. | $37,451 | ||||
| Sociology, General. | $43,325 |
| Major | Graduate Salary | Associate | Under | Master | Doctor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legal Studies. | - | ||||
| Law. | - |
| Major | Graduate Salary | Associate | Under | Master | Doctor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Health/Health Care Administration/Management. | - | ||||
| Physician Assistant. | - | ||||
| Athletic Training/Trainer. | - | ||||
| Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling. | - | ||||
| Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse. | - |
| Major | Graduate Salary | Associate | Under | Master | Doctor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Child Development. | $36,693 | ||||
| Child Care and Support Services Management. | $36,693 |
| Major | Graduate Salary | Associate | Under | Master | Doctor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exercise Science and Kinesiology. | - |
| Major | Graduate Salary | Associate | Under | Master | Doctor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology/Biological Sciences, General. | $32,199 |
| Major | Graduate Salary | Associate | Under | Master | Doctor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | $65,043 | ||||
| Information Technology. | $65,043 |
| Major | Graduate Salary | Associate | Under | Master | Doctor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speech Communication and Rhetoric. | $33,700 | ||||
| Mass Communication/Media Studies. | $33,700 | ||||
| Journalism. | - | ||||
| Radio and Television. | - |
| Major | Graduate Salary | Associate | Under | Master | Doctor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Data Analytics, General. | - |
| Major | Graduate Salary | Associate | Under | Master | Doctor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Administration. | $75,236 |
| Major | Graduate Salary | Associate | Under | Master | Doctor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General. | - | ||||
| Photography. | - | ||||
| Fine/Studio Arts, General. | - | ||||
| Art History, Criticism and Conservation. | - | ||||
| Music, General. | - |
| Major | Graduate Salary | Associate | Under | Master | Doctor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies. | $31,441 | ||||
| General Studies. | $31,441 |
| Major | Graduate Salary | Associate | Under | Master | Doctor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chemistry, General. | - | ||||
| Physics, General. | - |
| Major | Graduate Salary | Associate | Under | Master | Doctor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Language and Literature, General. | - | ||||
| Creative Writing. | - |
| Major | Graduate Salary | Associate | Under | Master | Doctor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| History, General. | - |
| Major | Graduate Salary | Associate | Under | Master | Doctor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics, General. | - |
| Major | Graduate Salary | Associate | Under | Master | Doctor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philosophy. | - |
Students
5,021 students in 2025 · Undergraduate men to women 40:60 · Freshman retention 64.5%
- Continuing undergraduates 2,301
- First-year undergraduates 485
- Graduate students 1,971
- Transfers and others 264
Undergraduate race and ethnicity (3,050)
Age distribution
Bachelor's
Graduate students
Data insights
The University of La Verne maintains a student body where Hispanic students form the majority across all academic divisions, while Asian and international students account for smaller shares. At the undergraduate entry level, the university enrolled 24 Asian freshmen, representing 4.8% of the incoming class, alongside very few international first-year students. Non-domestic representation is noticeably more prominent in post-baccalaureate education. The graduate division enrolled 167 international students, who comprise 8.5% of all graduate students on campus. Asian scholars also maintain a steady presence in graduate classrooms and upper-division undergraduate studies. Domestic enrollment is rounded out by White and Black students across degree tracks. For prospective students, this profile indicates a campus rooted primarily in regional communities, where international peers are concentrated within advanced professional and master's degree programs.
The student body at the University of La Verne displays a marked generational divide between undergraduate and graduate divisions. Among the 3,050 undergraduates enrolled in 2025, the vast majority fall within traditional collegiate age brackets, led by students aged 20 to 21 who comprise 35.6% of the undergraduate population. This concentration creates a traditional campus rhythm focused on daytime coursework and undergraduate activities. In contrast, graduate programs serve working adults and career changers, where students aged 25 to 29 represent the largest segment at 31.3%, followed closely by cohorts in their thirties and forties. This separation means undergraduate campus life is dominated by young adults, while graduate programs accommodate seasoned professionals balancing evening coursework with professional obligations.
International Students
International share over the last 10 years · gray line: median of the 30 closest-ranked private national universities
42 in 2025 · 2.6% in 2016
167 in 2025 · 15.3% in 2016
Data insights
International student representation at the University of La Verne has trended downward over the past decade across both academic levels. In 2025, international students made up just 1.4% of the undergraduate student body, placing the university higher than 17% of peer private comprehensive universities with similar rankings. The undergraduate international share has decreased steadily from its earlier levels, leaving overseas undergraduates as a very small cohort on campus. The graduate division has seen a corresponding contraction, with the international share dropping over time to reach 8.5% in 2025. When evaluating graduating classes by degree level and major, foreign students are minimally present in undergraduate programs but show meaningful concentration in advanced professional fields. Specifically, international graduates concentrate most heavily in the master's program in Business Administration and Management, General, where they accounted for 21.4% of degree recipients. For prospective international applicants, these patterns demonstrate that while undergraduate global student life is limited, graduate business studies offer an established community of international peers.
Cost
2025 cost per year
$65,300
- Undergraduate tuition
- $49,470
- Room and board
- $15,830
- Graduate tuition
- $15,318
Peer median tuition + room and board $57,083 · the 30 closest-ranked private national universities
Tuition rose 28% from 2016 to 2025; room and board rose 27%.
Finances · fiscal year 2024
Revenue$159M
Expenses$142M
Average faculty salary · 2025 (9-month equivalent)
Dark gray ticks: median pay for the same rank at the 30 closest-ranked private national universities
Campus Life
Athletics and varsity athletes NCAA · Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference: football, basketball, baseball, cross country
| NCAA Division III with football | MEN | WOMEN |
|---|---|---|
| Football | 114 | - |
| Soccer | 33 | 26 |
| Track and Field (Outdoor) | 30 | 18 |
| Baseball | 46 | - |
| Water Polo | 17 | 19 |
| Basketball | 17 | 18 |
| Cross Country | 15 | 13 |
| Softball | - | 25 |
| Volleyball | - | 22 |
| Golf | 10 | 9 |
| Swimming | 8 | 10 |
| NCAA Division III with football | MEN | WOMEN |
|---|---|---|
| Football | 115 | - |
| Track and Field (Outdoor) | 34 | 22 |
| Soccer | 31 | 23 |
| Baseball | 49 | - |
| Basketball | 21 | 23 |
| Cross Country | 21 | 14 |
| Softball | - | 26 |
| Water Polo | 10 | 15 |
| Swimming | 12 | 10 |
| Golf | 9 | 10 |
| Volleyball | - | 18 |
| NCAA Division III with football | MEN | WOMEN |
|---|---|---|
| Football | 109 | - |
| Soccer | 31 | 28 |
| Track and Field (Outdoor) | 28 | 18 |
| Baseball | 42 | - |
| Basketball | 18 | 23 |
| Water Polo | 14 | 20 |
| Softball | - | 27 |
| Cross Country | 16 | 5 |
| Volleyball | - | 21 |
| Swimming and Diving (combined) | 11 | 9 |
| Golf | 9 | 7 |
Nearby & Safety
Ranked colleges nearby
-
Pomona CollegeClaremont · 3.4 mi
Liberal Arts #3
-
Claremont McKenna CollegeClaremont · 3.6 mi
Liberal Arts #3
-
Scripps CollegeClaremont · 3.6 mi
Liberal Arts #38
-
Harvey Mudd CollegeClaremont · 3.6 mi
Liberal Arts #8
-
California Institute of TechnologyPasadena · 20.3 mi
U.S. News #5
-
Occidental CollegeLos Angeles · 25.1 mi
Liberal Arts #38
-
University of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles · 29.8 mi
U.S. News #27
-
University of California-IrvineIrvine · 31.5 mi
U.S. News #34
-
University of California-Los AngelesLos Angeles · 38.3 mi
U.S. News #20
Data insights
Applicants exploring higher education institutions in the local area can consider several nearby colleges with distinct institutional profiles. Just 3.4 kilometers away sits Pomona College, ranked 3rd among National Liberal Arts Colleges in 2027. Nearby Claremont McKenna College also holds the 3rd rank among National Liberal Arts Colleges and is situated 3.6 kilometers from campus. In the national university category, Azusa Pacific University is located 6.9 kilometers away and was ranked 299th in 2027, while California State University-Fullerton is located 16.5 kilometers away with a 2027 national university ranking of 156.
Peer median 5.4 · the 30 closest-ranked private national universities
Incidents, 2023–2025
From the Clery Act campus safety reports schools file, covering on-campus, non-campus and public property.
Data insights
Campus safety records at the University of La Verne indicate that student disciplinary actions constitute the vast majority of reported issues rather than serious violent crime. In 2025, the university registered a crime rate per 1,000 students of 4.4, based on Forward Pathway's weighted metric that incorporates lower weights for disciplinary infractions. Across the three-year period from 2023 to 2025, conduct violations involving substance policies formed the primary category of incidents, led by 53 alcohol-related disciplinary referrals and 18 drug disciplinary referrals. Over that same timeframe, reports of security-related criminal offenses were much less frequent, including 10 stalking incidents alongside a small number of dating violence and harassment reports. These records suggest that campus safety concerns predominantly revolve around student conduct and behavioral enforcement rather than pervasive community violence. Families evaluating the campus environment can find reassurance in the low incidence of severe interpersonal offenses, while acknowledging routine oversight of alcohol and drug regulations.
Notable Alumni
Notable alumni of University of La Verne include Anthony E. Zuiker (Creator of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation), Joseph Ashton (Former child actor, voice of Otto in Rocket Power) and Ross Mathews (Television host, known as Ross the Intern).
-
Anthony E. Zuiker 1968–
Creator of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
-
Joseph Ashton 1986–
Former child actor, voice of Otto in Rocket Power
-
Ross Mathews 1979–
Television host, known as Ross the Intern
-
Mouza Al Malki 1957–
Qatari writer and psychologist
-
Sandra Hutchens 1955–2021
Sheriff-Coroner of Orange County, California
-
John Long 1953–
Rock climber and author
-
Nancy Dahlstrom 1957–
15th lieutenant governor of Alaska
-
Dan Quisenberry 1953–1998
MLB relief pitcher for the Kansas City Royals
-
Robert T. Yamate 1950–
Diplomat, former U.S. Ambassador to Madagascar and Comoros
More alumni (7, by field)
Politics and law
-
Jonathan Lin 1977–
Taiwanese legislator, former Keelung city councilor
-
Mike Morrell 1952–
Former California state senator
-
Roger Hernández 1975–
Former California assemblyman and mayor of West Covina
Science and academia
-
David Hollinger 1941–
Historian, professor emeritus at UC Berkeley
Arts and media
-
David Nachmias 1966–
Greek musician and pianist
Sports
-
Dan Graham 1954–
Former MLB catcher for Twins and Orioles
Other fields
-
Vernard Eller 1927–2007
Church of the Brethren minister and author
From Wikidata “educated at” records (including people who attended without graduating), ordered by the number of Wikipedia language editions. Degrees and years follow Wikidata and are left out where it has none.
Recent News at University of La Verne
Summarized daily from the school's official news. Click "Source" for the original story.
-
University of La Verne's 20th president, Risa E. Dickson, will be inaugurated Nov. 19 and names a stable, adaptable institution as her top priority.
Source: laverne.edu
No updates on this topic in this month.
Related News
References and Data Sources
- University of La Verne Official Website
- USNews Best Colleges Ranking
- USNews Bset Global Universities Ranking
- THE World University Ranking
- QS World University Ranking
- ARWU World University Ranking
- US Department of Education College Scorecard
- National Center for Education Statistics
- Forward Pathway US College Ranking Database
Data from IPEDS (U.S. Department of Education), U.S. News, THE, QS, ARWU and Clery Act campus safety reports. Data insights are written by the Forward Pathway data team from public data.