Biola University's Student Population: How Many Attend?

Biola University is a private, nondenominational, evangelical Christian university in La Mirada, California. It was founded in 1908 as the Bible Institute of Los Angeles and offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs. In 2022, the university had a total enrollment of 5,387 students, with 3,916 enrolled full-time and 1,471 part-time. The university offers over 150 academic programs and is known for its leading degree programs in business, film, the sciences, and theology.

Undergraduate vs. graduate students

Biola University is a private, nondenominational, evangelical Christian university in La Mirada, California. It was founded in 1908 as the Bible Institute of Los Angeles and has since grown to offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs.

In terms of undergraduate versus graduate students, Biola University enrols more undergraduates than graduates. For the fall of 2023, there were 3,395 undergraduate students enrolled, while the total number of students enrolled at the university is over 5,000. This indicates that a significant portion of the student body is at the undergraduate level.

The university offers a variety of undergraduate programs, with 47 majors across eight schools, including the School of Business, the School of Fine Arts and Communication, and the School of Science, Technology, and Health. Biola's undergraduate programs are well-regarded, with the university ranked #31 in Best Undergraduate Teaching by US News. The university also offers a range of support services and resources specifically for undergraduates, such as undergraduate admissions, undergraduate tuition and costs information, and undergraduate core curriculum programs.

At the same time, Biola University also has a strong graduate student population. The university offers 26 master's and eight doctoral programs across various disciplines. Graduate students can pursue degrees in areas such as business, psychology, theology, and education. The graduate programs at Biola are designed to build on the foundation of undergraduate studies and provide advanced knowledge and skills in specific areas of study.

The dynamic between undergraduate and graduate students at Biola University creates a diverse and enriching academic environment. Undergraduate students bring fresh perspectives and energy to the campus, while graduate students contribute a higher level of specialisation and often engage in research and scholarly activities. This mix of students at different stages of their academic journeys fosters a vibrant and intellectually stimulating community.

The university's overall commitment to academic excellence and its unique blend of faith and learning attract students from diverse backgrounds, with the student body comprising various racial and ethnic groups. The university's location in Southern California, less than 25 miles from beaches and other attractions, also adds to its appeal for students from across the globe.

Male vs. female students

Biola University is a private, evangelical Christian university in La Mirada, California. It offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs and is known for its strong foundation in biblical studies.

In terms of male versus female students, Biola University has a higher population of female students. As of 2022, the university had a total enrollment of 5,387 students, with 39.5% male and 60.5% female students. This gender distribution has remained relatively consistent over the years, with females making up a slightly larger proportion of the student body.

In 2022, out of the 1,296 degrees awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs, 60.3% were awarded to women, and 39.7% to men. This trend is also reflected in the breakdown of specific degree programs. For example, in the same year, the most common Bachelor's Degree concentration was General Business Administration & Management, with 64 degrees awarded to men and 42 to women. On the other hand, in the General Psychology program, 77 degrees were awarded to men and 20 to women.

The gender distribution at Biola University is also evident in the full-time enrollment numbers. Among undergraduate students enrolled full-time, the most common demographic groups are White Female (25.7%) and White Male (16.9%). This indicates that while there is a higher proportion of female students overall, the distribution varies depending on the specific degree program and other factors.

Biola University's commitment to providing a Christian education and its diverse range of academic programs continue to attract students from different backgrounds, with a slight majority being female. The university's focus on faith and academic excellence creates a unique learning environment that appeals to both male and female students seeking a well-rounded education.

Online vs. in-person students

Biola University offers a range of online and in-person courses and programs for its students. The university's online courses are designed to provide flexibility and convenience for students who cannot attend classes in person. These courses aim to deliver the same high-quality learning outcomes as traditional, in-person courses by maximizing instructor-student and student-peer relationships through effective collaborative tools and methods.

Online courses at Biola University are not limited to specific programs or departments, and the university offers online and hybrid courses at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Some certificate and degree programs are even offered entirely online. For example, the university offers an online Bachelor's Degree in Biblical and Theological Studies/Diversified and a Master's in Divinity in Messianic Jewish Studies.

In contrast, in-person students at Biola University benefit from a vibrant campus life and a variety of extracurricular activities. The university's main campus is located in La Mirada, California, and offers a range of residential and recreational facilities for students. The campus consists of 95 acres with over 1 million square feet of building space, including 10 student residence complexes that can house up to 2,500 students. Athletic and recreational facilities include a swimming pool, tennis courts, softball and baseball diamonds, outdoor basketball and volleyball courts, an archery range, a fitness center, and a gymnasium.

In addition to its main campus, Biola University also has several extension sites and educational centers worldwide, including in Chiang Mai, Thailand, and New York City, New York. These sites offer a range of programs and courses, such as the Master of Divinity in Messianic Jewish Studies in New York and the Intercultural Studies programs in Thailand.

Both online and in-person students at Biola University have access to the university's extensive resources and support services. The Biola Library, for instance, offers a diverse collection of print, online, and multimedia resources, as well as spaces for individual and collaborative study. The university also offers a Rhetoric & Writing Center, a Tech Commons for technical assistance, and various other centers dedicated to specific areas of study and research.

In summary, while online students at Biola University benefit from the flexibility and convenience of distance learning, in-person students enjoy the advantages of a vibrant campus life and access to a range of extracurricular activities and facilities. Both types of students have access to the university's extensive resources and support services, ensuring a well-rounded and engaging educational experience.

Full-time vs. part-time students

Biola University is a private, nondenominational, evangelical Christian university in La Mirada, California. It was founded in 1908 and has since grown to accommodate over 5,000 students. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs across eight schools, including bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees.

When it comes to full-time vs part-time students, Biola University had a total enrollment of 5,387 students in 2022, with 3,916 full-time students and 1,471 part-time students. This means that approximately 72.7% of students enrolled at Biola University are full-time students. This percentage is slightly lower than the average for similar Doctoral Universities, which stands at 77.4%.

Full-time enrollment typically refers to students who are enrolled in a minimum number of credit hours or courses per semester, usually 12 or more credits. These students often have a more intensive course load and may be working toward completing their degree in the traditional four-year timeframe. Full-time students at Biola University can take advantage of the wide range of resources and opportunities available on campus, including extracurricular activities, residential housing, and access to campus facilities.

On the other hand, part-time enrollment typically refers to students who are enrolled in fewer than 12 credit hours per semester. These students may have other commitments, such as work or family responsibilities, that prevent them from attending full-time. Part-time students often have more flexibility in their schedules but may take longer to complete their degrees.

Biola University offers a variety of options to accommodate the needs of its diverse student body. The university provides a range of undergraduate and graduate programs that can be pursued on a full-time or part-time basis. Additionally, the university offers online and hybrid courses that provide flexibility for students who cannot attend classes on campus.

The decision to enroll as a full-time or part-time student depends on various factors, including a student's personal circumstances, academic goals, and financial situation. Full-time enrollment may be suitable for students who want to complete their degree faster and have the time to commit to a full course load. On the other hand, part-time enrollment can be a good option for those with busy schedules or other commitments outside of their academic pursuits.

Racial demographics

Biola University is a private, evangelical Christian university in La Mirada, California. It was founded in 1908 and offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. The university's total enrollment is approximately 5,387 students, with 3,395 undergraduate students and 834 graduate students.

The university has a diverse student population, with a significant proportion of racial and ethnic minorities. The racial breakdown of the student population is as follows:

• 39.5% White (the largest racial group)
• 19% Hispanic or Latino
• 16.1% Asian
• 6.83% Two or more races
• 3.3% Black or African American
• 0.334% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders
• 0.167% American Indian or Alaska Native

In terms of racial diversity, 45% of the student population are racial or ethnic minorities. This indicates that Biola University has a relatively balanced distribution of different racial and ethnic groups within its student body.

Among full-time undergraduate students, the racial demographics differ slightly, with 25.7% being White females, 16.9% White males, and 13.8% Hispanic or Latino females. These numbers suggest that White students constitute a significant proportion of the full-time undergraduate population, with Hispanic or Latino students also representing a notable portion.

The graduate student population at Biola University also exhibits racial diversity. While the exact numbers for graduate students are not provided, it is known that 46% of full-time graduate students are female, and 54% are male. This indicates a more balanced gender distribution among graduate students compared to the undergraduate population.

In summary, Biola University has a racially and ethnically diverse student body, with a significant proportion of racial minorities and a notable presence of female students, especially in graduate programs. The university's commitment to diversity is reflected in its efforts to empower students from diverse backgrounds and build a community of cross-cultural and globally aware Christians.

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