Quad

Palo Alto University

Palo Alto, CA
Known forIntimate campusMostly onlineFirst-gen friendlyVery diverseHigh earners
WebsiteAdmissionsApplyVisitFinancial aid

Students

Who's on campus

A small campus of 14 undergrads, where 50% receive Pell Grants, a high share compared to other colleges.

14

undergrads · larger than 1% of colleges

Diversity index

0.76

Pell Grant

50%

above the median

First generation

47%

above the median

Rural, near a cityNo college housingUndergrad research
Undergrads −93% since fall 2014Over time

Students and campus life in detail

Academics

Majors and faculty

The most popular major is Psychology, General (100% of graduates). 15 students for every faculty member, more than at 66% of colleges. 56% of faculty are full-time. Spends $24,704 a year on instruction per student.

15 to 1

students per faculty member · more than at 66% of colleges

Most popular major

Psychology, General

100% of 2024–25 graduates

Top-earning major

Psychology, General

$29.4K one year after completion

Full-time faculty

56%

of faculty

Instruction spending

$24.7K

per student a year

All majors with search, earnings by major, and faculty

Cost & aid · 2023–24

What it costs

What students pay, price by family income, debt, and who gets grants.

Average cost

Not reported

Federal loans

41%

of undergrads · national median 45%

Your price

Net price calculator

the college's own

Financial aid

Financial aid office Veterans' benefits

Prices, who gets aid, and borrowing in detail

Outcomes

What it pays

Former students earn a median $83,187 ten years after enrolling, more than at 93% of colleges; 82% graduate within six years.

82%

82%

graduate within six years · national median 59%

Median earnings

$83.2K

10 years after entry

Median debt

$20.5K

≈ $217/month for 10 years

Earnings, finishing, 8-year outcomes, by group

Over time · since 2013–14

How it's changed

  • Diversity

    Reported

Every series, year by year

Keep exploring

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Ecclesia College

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San Diego Christian College

31% admit · 87 undergrads

Similar sizeAlso WestAlso private
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Sources for this overviewEvery dataset and year behind the numbers on this profile; tap any ⓘ for one number's source

Sources for this profile

  1. 1
    IPEDS directory (Institutional Characteristics: HD)

    National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) · 2025–26 · retrieved 2026-10-12

  2. 2
    College Scorecard

    U.S. Department of Education · most recent release; Entered fall 2023; Fall 2024; 2023–24; Fall 2023 · retrieved 2026-10-12

  3. 3
    IPEDS Admissions survey

    National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) · Fall 2024 · retrieved 2026-10-12

  4. 4
    IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey

    National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) · 2023–24 · retrieved 2026-10-12

  5. 5
    IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey (athletics, programs, services, religious affiliation)

    National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) · 2025–26 · retrieved 2026-10-12

  6. 6
    IPEDS Fall Enrollment survey (part D)

    National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) · Fall 2024 · retrieved 2026-10-12

  7. 7
    IPEDS Completions survey (degrees awarded by field)

    National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) · 2024–25 graduates · retrieved 2026-10-12

  8. 8
    College Scorecard Field of Study data

    U.S. Department of Education · most recent release · retrieved 2026-10-12

  9. 9
    IPEDS Finance survey, derived per-student figures

    National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) · 2023–24 · retrieved 2026-10-12

  10. 10
    IPEDS Student Financial Aid survey

    National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) · 2023–24 · retrieved 2026-10-12

  11. 11
    Common Data Set

    Each college (voluntary, standardized template) · most recent release · retrieved 2026-10-12

  12. 12
    IPEDS Graduation Rates survey (Pell Grant and subsidized loan recipients)

    National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) · Entered fall 2018 · retrieved 2026-10-12

  13. 13
    IPEDS Fall Enrollment survey (part C, residence of first-time students)

    National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) · Fall 2024 · retrieved 2026-10-12

  14. 14
    IPEDS Fall Enrollment survey (part A, enrollment by level)

    National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) · Fall 2024 · retrieved 2026-10-12

  15. 15
    IPEDS Fall Enrollment survey (distance education)

    National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) · Fall 2024 · retrieved 2026-10-12

  16. 16
    IPEDS Salaries survey (SAL, instructional staff, all ranks)

    National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) · Fall 2024 · retrieved 2026-10-12

  17. 17
    IPEDS Outcome Measures survey

    National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) · Students entering fall 2016 · retrieved 2026-10-12

  18. 18
    Palo Alto University (2026)

    Palo Alto University · 2026 · retrieved 2026-10-04

IPEDS unit ID 120698 · Data retrieved 2026-10-12. Tap any ⓘ to see where that number came from and what year it describes. National ranks and medians include every 4-year college that reports the measure. How we source and calculate everything