Pacific Oaks College

Pacific Oaks College is a private nonprofit institution in Pasadena whose academic roots are especially visible in early childhood education, human development and teacher preparation. It now serves students in several other fields as well, including social work, community psychology, marriage and family therapy, business and organizational leadership. The college is designed with adult and returning students in mind: many programs are offered online, while others combine online study, Pasadena classes or cohort-based instruction at off-site locations. Before applying, compare the delivery format and any required field placement for the exact degree you want.

Programs to compare

Undergraduates can explore early childhood education, community psychology, human development, social work and business administration. Graduate options include early childhood education, elementary and special education, human development, marriage and family therapy, cultural and family studies, organizational leadership and management, and social work. The college also offers an Ed.D. in Early Childhood Education, teacher credentials and certificates. Some programs have concentrations in areas such as trauma studies, STEAM, African American family studies, Latinx family studies or LGBTQIA+ studies. Because each pathway has its own admissions, practicum and credential requirements, check the current program directory and ask the department which options are accepting applicants for your intended term.

For education and counseling-related degrees, ask early about supervised fieldwork, placement arrangements, background checks, credential exams and state licensure rules. Students planning to transfer should request a written evaluation of previous coursework before building a graduation timeline. The college’s experience-credit pathway may recognize some relevant work or prior learning, but eligibility and documentation requirements vary by program.

2026–27 tuition and financial support

For the academic year beginning Fall 2026, the published tuition rate is $412 per lower-division undergraduate credit and $917 per upper-division credit. A reduced $734 upper-division rate applies to a specified Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education and Special Education bachelor’s pathway when applicants meet the stated transfer-credit and CBEST conditions. Graduate tuition is $1,283 per credit for several education degrees, the MSW and related credentials; $1,327 for programs including Human Development and Marriage and Family Therapy; and $1,648 per credit for the Ed.D. in Early Childhood Education. The institutional services fee is $300 per semester, with a $10 student government fee also listed. The college’s nine-month planning budget lists books, housing, travel, food and personal expenses separately, so use its 2026–27 tuition, fees and cost calculator to build a budget for your program and format.

Pacific Oaks offers institutional scholarships to new students and donor scholarships to current students; the school says some awards are limited and recommends submitting requirements at least a month before classes begin. Parents of children enrolled at Pacific Oaks Children’s School may qualify for a separate scholarship covering 25% of tuition and fees. Eligible students can also apply for federal and California grants, including Pell, FSEOG and Cal Grants, and the college participates in Federal Work-Study. It lists reduced tuition rates for eligible active-duty service members, veterans and their families, and federal loans are another option to evaluate separately from gift aid. Start with the financial aid and scholarship information, complete the FAFSA if applicable, and ask Financial Aid to explain renewal rules and the amount that would remain after grants and scholarships.

Admissions and planning a visit

The college accepts students year-round and lists three start dates for campus-based study and six for online study across fall, spring and summer. Admissions counselors can help compare degree formats, review application steps and arrange a visit. The application includes a $55 fee for admission or readmission, and some programs ask for additional materials or interviews. Prospective students can contact the Admissions team or begin an application to discuss program fit and next steps. Financial Aid lists weekday service hours of 7 a.m.–6 p.m. Pacific Time and can be reached at (800) 645-8603, option 1, or pocfinancialaid@pacificoaks.edu.

Pasadena campus and other formats

The main campus is at 45 W Eureka St, Pasadena, CA 91103; the general phone number is (800) 201-2296. Pacific Oaks also teaches online and describes cohort-based off-site instruction at locations around California, sometimes organized through a workplace or local group rather than a permanent campus. Confirm where a specific class, meeting or field placement will take place before arranging travel. The public campus listing shows Monday–Thursday, 8 a.m.–10 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; and Friday closed. These are campus listing hours, not a promise that every office or counselor is available then, so schedule a visit with Admissions.

What students say about the experience

Public student comments often value supportive faculty, small-class interaction, flexibility for working adults and the college’s emphasis on social justice and inclusive education. Critical reviews raise concerns about uneven course experiences, advising or administrative communication, online class structure and the cost of attendance. Those experiences differ by program and cohort. When speaking with a counselor, ask who will advise you, how often required courses run, how online classes are organized, and what support is available if a placement or credential requirement delays your plan. A selection of student perspectives on Pacific Oaks can help you prepare those questions.

Pacific Oaks may suit students seeking flexible study in education, child and human development, counseling or social services, especially those bringing work or family experience into a degree plan. The most useful comparison is a program-level one: confirm the current curriculum and location, calculate tuition and living costs for the time you expect to enroll, then review your written financial aid offer before committing.