Biola University Top Questions

Biola students care about their faith in Christ and their fellow human beings and it shows through their activities. Most students volunteer with ministries that help combat social injustices, sex trafficking, world hunger, poverty, racial and gender inequalities and a variety of other causes. It is not unusual for students to spend a semester or a few weeks in a far away foreign country serving the people there or regularly involve themselves in some kind of local service. Because tuition is so expensive, many of the students who attend can afford to enjoy all kinds of luxuries that the southern California location offers. Visitors are often surprised at how friendly and trusting everyone is. Overall, most undergraduates invest more of their time in having fun and doing whatever they are passionate about than forwarding their career.

Biola students care about their faith in Christ and their fellow human beings and it shows through their activities. Most students volunteer with ministries that help combat social injustices, sex trafficking, world hunger, poverty, racial and gender inequalities and a variety of other causes. It is not unusual for students to spend a semester or a few weeks in a far away foreign country serving the people there or regularly involve themselves in some kind of local service. Because tuition is so expensive, many of the students who attend can afford to enjoy all kinds of luxuries that the southern California location offers. Visitors are often surprised at how friendly and trusting everyone is. Overall, most undergraduates invest more of their time in having fun and doing whatever they are passionate about than forwarding their career.

Every student at Biola University is required to be a professing Christian. Despite society's normally negative connotation to requirements of this kind, this is an encouragement to all the students here. Everyone encourages another and is extremely friendly to one another. It is rare when someone feels out of place or left out. Students who apply here should be fully aware of the fact that it is a private Christian school and are expected to live their lives as such. Students do not necessarily form cliques here. Most of the time, people are extremely open to having any "type" of student come along on In-N-Out runs or trips to Disneyland. Lunch tables at the cafeteria are usually full of eclectic groups of people that were most likely thrown together because of a relation to another student. Everyone gets along quite well at Biola. One would think that the high tuition would constitute everyone being of a higher social class financially, but this is not so. There are mainly middle to high financial classes represented on campus, but there are some lower financial class students as well. Many trust fully in God to provide their finances, and for many, it works out.

I don't feel out of place because it is majority white and I'm black. You have to be Christian to go here which I don't have a problem with. The only thing I would have a problem with is someone being too religious to the point where they didn't know how to have a little bit of fun. We all interact with one another at one point or another and the students at Biola are from all over the United States and all over the world.

Our school has experienced racial issues especially when there was this controversy about the Jesus Mural. At our campus we have a huge Jesus mural on one of the walls of the science building. Last year, there was a huge discussion/debate about whether it should be taken down because some people felt offended by having a “white” Jesus. The school had the artist come in for one of the chapels and talk with our president. There was a vote on whether it would be taken down. It didn’t come down but the artist came and worked on the mural this semester. He touched it up and made his skin a darker. Students will wear whatever they feel like to class. We have some who walk around barefoot and will wear no shoes to class. Usually students will wear jeans and a t-shirt or sandals. Rainbows (sandals) are in at our school. A lot of students I know are getting financial aid and loans. Money is a big issue here on campus. I feel most students are in the center politically speaking. We don’t talk about politics here. I can’t even remember a time where I talked about politics with any student or teacher. It is a very taboo subject.

Christian religious students, admittance to this school is based on a dedication to the Christian faith, meaning that in order to attending this school students must be christian affiliated. There is a brilliant arts and music program, as well as a captivating biology, anthropology, and pre-med program.

Students at Biola are very kind and genuine. We are a Christian university and that reflects in the students. The school is predominantly Caucasian, but being a minority myself, I've always felt comfortable. There are diversity and mulit-ethnic outreaches. There are also quite a few international students. One doesn't really see anyone without a group of friends to fit in. The orientation week for new students is so filled with social activities that by the end of the week, most students have made plenty of friends and acquaintances. I would also say that there are a lot of students that attend Biola that come from well-off families. This can be intimidating at times, but most students are humble about there money. And there are definitely people from lower-classes too. Biola offers a lot of financial aid.

Students at Biola are unlike any other students I have ever met before. All have a love for Christ that is evident in their lives and they have a passion to make a difference in the world no matter what their major may be. The students are so passionate about their majors as well and there are so many different clubs you can join based on what you want to do with your major. Also, upperclassmen are more than happy to help out underclassmen and give them advice on what teachers to take or what classes are the best. I personally love asking older students for advice for what to get involved in. I am a part of Associated Students of Biola, which is a student run government and it is just so cool to see how many students want to be involved with their school. We plan such crazy, fun events and everyone always wants to attend. Students are proud of their school! Every student has dorm pride as well! Each of dorms are really unique and the RA staff is incredible. I have absolutely loved living in my dorms because of the create community that is created by the students that attend Biola. While some students can afford the tuition, I would say most students are taking out loans and paying a lot of tuition by themselves. Because of this students appreciate their time at Biola and really work hard, making the most of their time here. There are also so many on campus jobs that tons of students work at to help out with loans and just college expenses in general.

Biola is very tolerant. We have chapels dedicated to racial reconciliation and there is no racial tension whatsoever here. Many of the students are Missionary kids and come from impoverished households. That also warrants no discrimination. Everyone is very understanding of each other's struggles and doesn't judge. Only a student that is not a Christian would feel extremely out of place at Biola because every class, every event, and every relationship is focused around Christ and His love. There are many international and out of state students at Biola, and they have no problem fitting in with, interacting with, or making friends because most students are in their same situation. The Student Missionary Union does an excellent job of connecting international students and helping them grow accustomed to American culture. Most students are politically right-winged conservatives. There isn't much focus on money. Many students plan on going into the mission field, where economic stability is rare and most students are working or taking out multiple loans to pay for Biola. It is a more expensive school, but it is worth it.

Our student body is so diverse! It is definitely a melting pot of looks, personalities, backgrounds and passions. There are few students who have a hard time finding a place to fit in. Smiles are prevalent and welcoming conversations happen all the time.