Woodbury University
Woodbury University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Woodbury University at a Glance
The University of Redlands, Los Angeles (URLA), formerly known as Woodbury University, is a private university in Burbank, California, United States. Founded in 1884 with initial campuses in Downtown and Central Los Angeles, URLA is one of the oldest institutions of higher education in Southern California. The university consists of three schools: the Woodbury Business Institute, the Center for Interdisciplinary Studies, the and the College of Architecture, Design and Media. It has been a subsid…
1884
142 years old
$23M
$23.3 million (2021)
4 acres
Identity
Is Woodbury University Worth It?
At a value score of 28/100, Woodbury University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $65,668 — 22% above average — while paying $33,692/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
With a 2.1-year payback period, most graduates recoup their total cost of attendance relatively quickly.
A 58% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 6 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Woodbury University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Woodbury University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in CA
Ranked #73 of 98 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Mount Carmel College of Nursing | 100 | $10,420 | $75,103 |
| #2 | Christian Brothers University | 81 | $9,854 | $57,478 |
| #3 | Baptist Health Sciences University | 75 | $11,212 | $72,529 |
| #4 | Andrews University | 73 | $12,547 | $53,187 |
| #5 | Kalamazoo College | 68 | $19,072 | $65,590 |
| #6 | Clarkson College | 57 | $19,241 | $64,876 |
| #73 | Woodbury University | 28 | $33,692 | $65,668 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Woodbury University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 6 in CA.
Best Programs at Woodbury University
The highest-earning program at Woodbury University is Business Administration, Management and Operations at $47,400/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Design and Applied Arts at $29,200/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Business Administration, Management and Operations graduate from Woodbury University earns $47,400, while a Design and Applied Arts graduate earns $29,200. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Business Administration, Management and Operations graduates carry $32,625 in median debt vs. $28,125 for Design and Applied Arts.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $33,692/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $47,400 | $47,400 | $32,625 |
| Architecture | $46,300 | $46,300 | $43,400 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $29,200 | $29,200 | $28,125 |
Similar Colleges in CA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Burbank, CA
- Student Body
- 779 students
- Admission Rate
- 82%
- Graduation Rate
- 58%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $33,692
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $65,668
- Median Student Debt
- $26,960