Biola began in 1908 as the Bible Institute of Los Angeles, and the name is simply built from the first letters of that title. The university moved to La Mirada, on the edge of Los Angeles and Orange counties, in 1959. It's an evangelical Christian university where every undergraduate takes Bible courses alongside a major. Cinema and media arts, nursing, psychology and business draw many students, and Talbot School of Theology trains pastors from around the world.
La Mirada, California, United States
Official website: biola.edu
1908, as the Bible Institute of Los Angeles
Private evangelical Christian university
La Mirada, Los Angeles County
Talbot School of Theology
$46,000 – $50,000
Undergraduate tuition before scholarships
$17,000 – $21,000
Rent, food and local transport
Approximate figures for 2026-27, please verify. Fees change every year and vary by course, so check the latest amount on biola.edu before you apply.
BA Cinema and Media Arts
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 80
BS Nursing
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 80
BA Psychology
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 80
BS Business Administration
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 80
Master of Divinity
Masters DegreeDuration
36 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 80
Every undergraduate studies the Bible alongside a major.
A film programme within reach of the Los Angeles industry.
Large murals painted across campus buildings.
Cinema graduates work in film and television production around Los Angeles.
Talbot graduates serve as pastors, missionaries and teachers worldwide.
F-1 graduates can apply for OPT after finishing their degree.
Undergrad
Main intake
Postgrad
Most programmes
Undergrad
Open
Postgrad
Selected programmes
La Mirada is a quiet suburb in south-east Los Angeles County. The campus has its own residence halls and plenty of open lawn in the Southern California sun.
Downtown LA is about 20 miles north-west, and Anaheim and the Orange County beaches are a short drive south. A car helps, since buses are slow.
Form I-20 issued by Biola University
Proof of funds for one academic year
SEVIS I-901 fee payment receipt
Completed DS-160 online application
US embassy or consulate interview
Passport valid six months beyond stay
Biola has early action in the autumn and a regular deadline in early spring for fall entry. International students should apply early. Graduate programmes, including Talbot, review applications on a rolling basis.
Most students start in August, and many programmes also admit in January.
It's the F-1 student visa. Get your I-20 from Biola University first (they need your deposit and bank documents), then pay the SEVIS fee, complete the DS-160 and attend the visa interview. Book the interview early in peak season.
Cinema and media arts, nursing, psychology, business and Talbot's theology degrees are popular. Undergraduates need school results, a statement of Christian faith and TOEFL 80 or IELTS 6.5.
Biola gives merit scholarships to admitted undergraduates, including international students. Some departments add awards of their own.
