University of La Verne

The University of La Verne is a private nonprofit university in La Verne, about 30 miles east of Los Angeles. It serves traditional undergraduates as well as adult, graduate and online learners across five colleges: Arts and Sciences, Business, LaFetra College of Education, Health and Community Well-Being, and Law and Public Service. That range matters when comparing it: the central campus offers a residential college experience, while accelerated regional and online programs are designed for students who need to keep working. The university lists more than 50 undergraduate majors, over 20 master’s programs and five doctoral degrees.

Programs and ways to study

Undergraduates can explore fields including biology, business, computer science, communication, psychology, child development and justice studies. Graduate options range from the MBA, public administration and education to clinical psychology, nursing and law. The College of Law and Public Service offers a JD and related public-service degrees at a separate Ontario campus. La Verne also offers online bachelor’s and master’s programs and accelerated formats at selected regional sites. Because not every degree is offered at every campus, check the complete degree and program list against the location and format you plan to attend.

Main campus: 1950 3rd St, La Verne, CA 91750; (909) 593-3511. Google Maps lists the campus open Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday are closed. Admissions tours and information sessions should be arranged in advance.

Regional and specialized locations:

• Bakersfield Campus: 10800 Stockdale Hwy., Bakersfield, CA 93311. It offers selected bachelor’s and graduate programs in flexible evening, weekend and hybrid formats.
• Santa Clarita Campus: College of the Canyons University Center, 26455 Rockwell Canyon Rd., Santa Clarita, CA 91355. Its offerings include business, criminal justice, education and leadership pathways.
• College of Law and Public Service: 320 E. D Street, Ontario, CA 91764; (909) 460-2000. This is the location for the JD and the College’s graduate legal and public-service programs.
• Naval Base Ventura County: 121 North Mugu Rd., Point Mugu NAWC, CA 93042. The site serves eligible military-connected students and offers selected bachelor’s-completion and graduate programs; base access rules apply.

La Verne also supports online study and other regional or partner locations. Campus offerings and access can change, so use the university’s current locations directory before planning a visit or commute.

Accreditation and the law program

The university is institutionally accredited by WSCUC. Its College of Law and Public Service is accredited by the State Bar of California’s Committee of Bar Examiners. New JD students are not entering an ABA-approved JD program; the university moved to California State Bar accreditation for new entrants beginning in Fall 2020. Graduates of the California-accredited program may qualify to sit for the California Bar Examination, subject to State Bar requirements. Study at or graduation from the law school may not qualify a student for bar admission in another jurisdiction. If you are considering law, verify where you expect to practice and review the school’s current accreditation and bar-eligibility disclosures before enrolling.

Tuition, scholarships and financial aid

Costs differ by degree, campus and enrollment format, so compare the complete cost of attendance rather than a single tuition figure. Traditional undergraduates can apply for need-based aid with the FAFSA, including university grants and loans, Federal Pell and SEOG grants, Direct and PLUS loans, work-study and California Cal Grants. The university also offers academic merit scholarships for eligible full-time students admitted through the central La Verne campus, performance and donor-funded scholarships, and study-away assistance for eligible Honors students. Transfer applicants may be considered for university merit grants of up to $14,000 per year based on admission GPA, alongside need-based grants for students who file the FAFSA. Eligibility differs for international, adult and graduate students; review the scholarship criteria and current financial aid and cost information before planning around an award.

Applying and finding the right campus

Traditional undergraduate admission is test-optional and uses rolling admission, with priority dates that can affect scholarship consideration. Transfer, online, graduate and law applicants follow different processes. Start with the application type for your degree and ask admissions which campuses actually teach the program, how transfer credit is evaluated and whether scholarships apply to your format. You can begin through the university’s application portal; use the program-specific admission page for deadlines and required documents.

What students and visitors say

Public student comments often mention supportive faculty, smaller classes and a welcoming campus community. Some reviews question whether the academic experience and student services justify the tuition, and recent campus comments criticize portal access or the logistics of commencement. These are individual experiences, not a verdict on every program, but they point to useful questions for a campus visit: who helps resolve financial-aid or technology problems, what is included in the net price, and how much advising is available in your major. Read a sample of student reviews and compare them with the requirements and support listed by your specific college.