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Biola University — ROI, Cost & Payback

Private nonprofit · La Mirada, CA · 3,474 students

The verdict

Biola University charges a net price of $31,495/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $125,980. Graduates earn a median $56,778 ten years after entry, $8,418/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 15 years — a 20-year net return of $42,380, a slow but positive payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Biola University's 15-year payback ranks #961 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 25% of them, and #108 of 334 in California.

Better ROI than 25% of US colleges#961 of 1,280
Weakest ROIStrongest ROI
$31,495
Net price / yr
Scorecard, 2026
$56,778
Median earnings, 10 yrs
Scorecard, 2026
15 yrs
Payback
Our math, 2026
74%
Admission rate
Scorecard, 2026
Biola University: cost, earnings and payback
MeasureValueSource
Net price (after aid)$31,495/yrScorecard, 2026
Total net cost (4 yrs)$125,980our math
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry$56,778Scorecard, 2026
Earnings premium over HS baseline$8,418/yrour math
Median debt (completers)$23,875Scorecard, 2026
Payback15 yrsour math
20-year net return$42,380our math

College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.

How we compute this. Payback = total net cost ÷ annual earnings premium, where the premium is median earnings 10 years after entry minus the $48,360 baseline (BLS 2024 median for a high-school-diploma worker 25+). Total net cost = net price × 4 years. We do not discount future dollars. The institution-wide earnings figure blends every major — a specific program's payback can be far better or worse. Full method on the methodology page.

Biola University: frequently asked questions

Is Biola University worth the cost?
On the numbers, yes. Biola University charges $31,495/yr after aid ($125,980 over 4 years), and graduates earn a median $56,778 ten years out — $8,418/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline. That clears the cost in 15 years and returns $42,380 net over 20 years, a slow but positive payback.
How long does a Biola University degree take to pay off?
About 15 years. We divide the $125,980 four-year net cost by the $8,418/yr earnings premium over the high-school baseline. It is a floor, not a ceiling — mid-career raises pay it back faster.
How much does Biola University cost after financial aid?
The median net price is $31,495/yr — about $125,980 over 4 years. That is what the typical aided student actually pays after grants and scholarships, not the published sticker price.
How does Biola University compare to other California colleges?
It ranks #108 of 334 California colleges we track by payback. Its $56,778 median earnings beat the national median of $43,552, and its $31,495 net price is above the national median of $16,906.