Hope International University

Hope International University (HIU) is a private Christian university in Fullerton, California. Its programs combine professional study with a Christian educational framework, and students can choose from residential undergraduate, online undergraduate, graduate, and credential pathways. It is a broad university rather than a single-field school: areas include business, psychology and counseling, education, kinesiology, social sciences, and ministry. For applicants comparing it with a secular or larger campus, the central questions are whether the faith-centered setting fits, which delivery format suits their schedule, and what the full cost will be after aid.

Programs, pathways, and professional preparation

Undergraduate options include business administration and related concentrations, psychology, social science, criminal justice, communication, English literature, kinesiology, teacher preparation, and ministry subjects such as biblical studies, worship arts, and intercultural studies. Online bachelor's pathways include business, Christian ministry, criminal justice, liberal studies/teacher preparation, and psychology. Graduate offerings include marriage and family therapy, counseling, education and teacher credentials, organizational leadership, business, and ministry degrees such as the M.A. in Ministry and Master of Divinity. Because clinical, teaching, and counseling credentials have specific state and supervised-practice requirements, confirm the curriculum and intended work location before enrolling. The university's academic program directory is the best starting point for the complete current list.

HIU holds institutional accreditation from WSCUC, reaffirmed for six years after its 2024 review. The university also lists programmatic accreditation for its M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy through COAMFTE and separate ABHE accreditation for specified ministry programs; California teacher-preparation programs are approved by the state Commission on Teacher Credentialing. These approvals apply to particular programs, not automatically to every degree or to licensure in every state. Prospective students who plan to practice or teach outside California should check that state's requirements.

Tuition, scholarships, and financial aid

For 2026–27, traditional full-time undergraduates taking 12–18 units each semester are charged $37,970 in annual tuition. Published recurring fees include a $1,300 student fee for students taking at least six units and $400 annual parking; housing, meal plans, books, and personal expenses add to the budget. Part-time tuition is charged per unit, and graduate and online tuition schedules differ, so use the rate for the specific program and modality rather than applying the residential undergraduate price across the university.

HIU's 2026–27 residential undergraduate awards include freshman Presidential Scholarships up to $19,300 a year and Dean's Scholarships up to $18,000, each with academic eligibility and renewal standards. Qualified students preparing for full-time vocational ministry may be considered for the Ministry Honors award, listed up to $27,975. Transfer, AVID, servant-leadership, athletic, and other awards also have separate criteria. The university says it limits institutional grants and scholarships to one per student, so applicants should not assume awards stack. Federal Pell and FSEOG grants, California Cal Grants, federal loans, and work-study may also be available to eligible students. Submit the FAFSA and ask the Financial Aid Office for a written estimate of direct charges, aid, and remaining balance; see the current scholarship and aid requirements and tuition schedule.

Admissions and campus visits

HIU follows rolling undergraduate admissions, but students seeking early-action consideration or a complete aid package should apply well before the semester starts. First-time freshmen generally qualify by meeting two of three measures: a 2.5 high-school GPA, SAT 900 or ACT 19, or a place in the top half of the graduating class; transfer applicants with at least 24 transferable semester units need a 2.0 cumulative GPA. Requirements can vary for programs and graduate applicants. Begin an undergraduate application or request details from Admissions before sending transcripts.

The main campus is at 2500 E. Nutwood Avenue, Fullerton, CA 92831. The university lists (714) 879-3901 and (888) 352-HOPE as general numbers. Campus visits are scheduled in advance: standard tours run Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., except Tuesday and Thursday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.; requests are due at least 24 business hours ahead. A longer Royal Visit is offered on Thursdays during the academic year and requires a week's notice. The campus visit page gives the current booking links. The public site does not list separate branch addresses as active centers, so this guide identifies only the verified Fullerton campus.

What students say, and what to ask

Recent public student comments on Niche often describe close relationships with faculty and a supportive, faith-centered community; some also wish for a broader range of majors or raise concerns about cost, housing, food, or campus resources. Graduate reviewers describe flexible online study and useful counseling coursework, while some report frustrations with course repetition or administrative workload. These are individual, self-selected accounts rather than a representative survey. Ask current students in your intended program about class sizes, advising response times, the actual housing and meal experience, and how tuition changes after aid. Applicants who need clinical placements, field experience, or a state credential should ask the department to map each requirement to their plan before paying a deposit.

HIU's official channels include campus visit registration, general contact and inquiry form, and the full program directory. Social updates are available on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.