# La Sierra University

> Seventh-day Adventist university in Riverside, California, United States

**Wikidata**: [Q6465284](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6465284)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Sierra_University)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/la-sierra-university

## Summary
La Sierra University is a private Seventh-day Adventist university located in Riverside, California, United States. Founded in 1922, it offers undergraduate and graduate programs through a variety of academic schools including the Zapara School of Business. The university is affiliated with the Seventh-day Adventist Church and operates under an academic quarter calendar system.

## Key Facts
- Founded in **1922**  
- Located in **Riverside, California**, United States  
- Operated as a **private not-for-profit educational institution**  
- Affiliated with the **Seventh-day Adventist Church**  
- Academic calendar follows the **academic quarter** system  
- Total student enrollment was **1,993** as of fall 2020  
- Endowment valued at **$20,797,171** as of June 30, 2020  
- Employs approximately **404 staff members** as of September 2020  
- Main address: **4500 Riverwalk Parkway, Riverside, CA 92515-8247**

## FAQs
### Q: Is La Sierra University a religious school?
A: Yes, La Sierra University is affiliated with the Seventh-day Adventist Church and integrates Christian values into its curriculum and campus life.

### Q: How many students attend La Sierra University?
A: As of fall 2020, the university had a total student enrollment of 1,993.

### Q: When was La Sierra University founded?
A: La Sierra University was established in 1922.

## Why It Matters
La Sierra University plays a significant role within the Seventh-day Adventist educational network, offering faith-integrated higher education to a diverse student body. Its commitment to combining rigorous academics with spiritual development makes it a notable institution for students seeking both intellectual growth and moral guidance. The university contributes to regional workforce development through its business, education, and health science programs while maintaining strong ties to global Adventist missions and service initiatives. Additionally, La Sierra supports research and cultural preservation efforts such as those conducted by its Center for Near Eastern Archaeology.

## Notable For
- Being one of the few **Seventh-day Adventist universities** on the West Coast of the U.S.
- Hosting the **Center for Near Eastern Archaeology**, which conducts international archaeological research projects
- Offering a range of **graduate and undergraduate degrees** across multiple disciplines including theology, business, education, and health sciences
- Maintaining a long-standing tradition of **service-oriented education** rooted in Adventist principles
- Having been classified among **"Master's Colleges and Universities – Small Programs"** by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education

## Body
### Overview
La Sierra University (LSU) is a private, four-year liberal arts university situated in Riverside, California. Established in 1922, it has grown from a small denominational college into a comprehensive institution serving nearly two thousand students annually.

### Location and Campus
The main campus spans over 165 acres along the banks of the Santa Ana River. It features modern facilities including residence halls, classrooms, laboratories, and recreational centers. The university also houses specialized units like the Center for Near Eastern Archaeology, contributing to scholarly work beyond traditional academics.

Address:
4500 Riverwalk Parkway  
Riverside, CA 92515-8247  

Coordinates: Latitude 33.911269444444 | Longitude -117.49914722222

### Institutional Profile
As part of the Seventh-day Adventist educational system, La Sierra emphasizes holistic learning grounded in Christian ethics. It serves students from various backgrounds but maintains close alignment with Adventist doctrine and lifestyle practices.

#### Accreditation and Recognition
La Sierra holds accreditation from the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), ensuring quality standards in postsecondary instruction. It is recognized under several federal databases including IPEDS (ID: 117627).

#### Carnegie Classifications
Multiple classifications have been assigned based on institutional characteristics:
- Master’s Colleges and Universities – Small Programs
- Four-Year, Full-Time, Inclusive, Higher Transfer-In
- Balanced Arts & Sciences/Professions, Some Graduate Coexistence
- Research Doctoral: Single Program – Education
- High Undergraduate Focus

These reflect its dual emphasis on teaching excellence and select areas of advanced study.

### Academics
Offering more than 60 majors across five schools—Business, Education, Health Professions, Liberal Arts and Sciences, and Religion—La Sierra provides pathways toward associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees.

Academic Quarter System:
Each term lasts ten weeks, allowing faster progression through degree requirements compared to semester-based institutions.

Admissions Metrics (Fall 2020):
- Admission Rate: 57%
- Yield Rate: 10%

Student Demographics:
- Total Enrollment: 1,993
- Employees: 404

Financial Standing (as of June 30, 2020):
- Endowment: $20,797,171 USD
- Total Assets: $192,974,775 USD

### Athletics
Athletically competing in NCAA Division II, the La Sierra Golden Eagles represent the university in intercollegiate sports. They compete within the Pacific West Conference and maintain active participation in regional tournaments and championships.

### Social Media Presence
With growing digital engagement, the university actively manages platforms such as YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. As of recent reports:
- YouTube Channel Views: Over 820,000+ views
- Twitter Followers: ~7,069 followers (January 2021)
- Facebook Page: Official handle @LaSierraU

### Alumni Network
Graduates form a global community supported through formal alumni networks and professional associations. Categories such as “Category:La Sierra University alumni” exist online to facilitate connections and career advancement opportunities.

### Distinctive Features
Among its distinguishing attributes are:
- Integration of faith and learning throughout curricula
- International outreach via archaeology and mission programs
- Strong focus on undergraduate education complemented by selected graduate offerings
- Commitment to environmental stewardship reflected in sustainable campus operations

This combination positions La Sierra uniquely among peer institutions in Southern California and within the broader Adventist educational landscape.

## References

1. Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System
2. GRID Release 2017-01-10
3. Google Knowledge Graph
4. GeoNames
5. Freebase Data Dumps
6. [Source](http://www.lasierra.edu)
7. [Source](http://km.aifb.kit.edu/services/crunchbase/)
8. [Source](https://figshare.com/articles/GRID_release_2015_12_14/2010108)
9. GRID Release 2016-12-06
10. Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education
11. Quora
12. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions
13. YouTube API
14. Microsoft Academic Knowledge Graph
15. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File
16. [OpenAlex](https://docs.openalex.org/download-snapshot/snapshot-data-format)
17. National Center for Education Statistics