Loma Linda sits in the Inland Empire east of Los Angeles, and the university is the reason most people know the town. It's a Seventh-day Adventist health sciences university with schools of medicine, dentistry, nursing, pharmacy, public health and allied health. Students train at Loma Linda University Medical Center next door. Healthy living is part of the ethos, and campus food is vegetarian.
Loma Linda, California, United States
Official website: llu.edu
1905
Private Seventh-day Adventist health sciences university
Loma Linda University Medical Center
Eight, including medicine, dentistry and nursing
$35,000 – $70,000
International students, varies widely by programme
$20,000 – $26,000
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 llu.edu before you apply.
Master of Public Health
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 80
International Dentist Program (DDS)
DoctorateDuration
24 Months
Intake
Jun
Exam Score
TOEFL: 90
Doctor of Physical Therapy
DoctorateDuration
36 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
TOEFL: 80
Doctor of Pharmacy
DoctorateDuration
48 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
TOEFL: 80
MS Nutrition and Dietetics
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 80
An International Dentist Program for dentists trained outside the US.
Public health research built on the Adventist Health Studies.
Clinical training at its own large medical centre.
Most graduates go into clinical practice in hospitals, clinics and dental offices across California.
Public health graduates work for county health departments, NGOs and global health programmes.
US licensing exams are required for most clinical roles, so plan for them early.
Undergrad
Main intake
Postgrad
Main intake
Undergrad
Varies by programme
Postgrad
Varies by programme
The town is small and quiet, built around the campus and medical center. It's known as a Blue Zone, where residents live longer than average, much of it put down to diet and lifestyle.
Redlands and San Bernardino are next door, the mountains are close, and Los Angeles is about an hour away by car or Metrolink.
Form I-20 issued by Loma Linda 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
Deadlines differ by school. Dentistry, pharmacy and physical therapy use national application services with autumn deadlines a year ahead. Public health and other master's programmes accept applications into spring or summer.
Most programmes start in late September, since the university runs on quarters. Some clinical programmes, such as the International Dentist Program, start in summer.
It's the F-1 student visa. Get your I-20 from Loma Linda 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.
Public health, the International Dentist Program, physical therapy, pharmacy and nutrition attract many international applicants. Clinical doctorates need specific prerequisite science courses, and most programmes ask for a TOEFL score.
Scholarships for international students are limited and mostly programme-specific. Many students rely on family funding or private loans with a US co-signer.
