Private Nonprofit Graduate Strong 75/100

Palo Alto University

See admissions data, costs, student outcomes, and academic programs, all verified from official US government sources.

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Palo Alto, California

About Palo Alto University

Palo Alto University is a private nonprofit institution offering graduate degrees based in Palo Alto, California. It enrolls 14 students (a very small, intimate student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.

Acceptance
Graduation
38.7%
Net Price
Median Earnings (10yr)
$83,187
Enrollment
14
Student : Faculty
12:1

Accreditor Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
Academic Calendar Quarter

How It Measures Up

US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (4-Year Open / Online). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.

Strong
75/100
UCD Score · 4-Year Open / Online
Outcomes
Value
Affordability 64
Selectivity

Admissions & Acceptance Rate

Admissions data is not yet reported for Palo Alto University.

Acceptance Rate
SAT Range (25th–75th)
Not reported
ACT Range (25th–75th)
Not reported

Cost & Financial Aid

The real cost of attending Palo Alto University isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Net-price data is not yet reported for this school.

Average Net Price
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
50%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
41%
Borrowing to attend

Debt at Graduation

Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.

$5,500
10% percentile
$12,357
25% percentile
$20,500
Median percentile
$25,000
75% percentile
$25,000
90% percentile
What this means: Aid reaches a meaningful share of the student body: 50% of students receive Pell grants. If your family qualifies for Pell, the real cost to you could be substantially lower than the average.

Graduation Rate & Retention

39% of full-time students who enrolled at Palo Alto University graduate within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.

6-Year Graduation Rate
39%
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
Returning for their second year
What this means: Lower than typical completion. Worth asking the school how they support students who fall behind.

After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes

According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered Palo Alto University earn a median of $83,187 ten years after first enrolling. That's well above the national median for U.S. colleges.

Median Earnings (10 yrs)
$83,187
Earning > $25K
82%
10 yrs after entry

Earnings Growth After Graduation

Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.

$60,000$65,000$75,000$80,000$85,0006 yrs8 yrs10 yrs

Who Studies Here

Palo Alto University is home to 14 students, an intimate, close-knit community. Some distinctive traits: 47% are first-generation college students.

Total Enrolled
14
Part-Time
0%
First-Generation
47%

Race & Ethnicity Breakdown

Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.

GroupShareStudents
White 35.7% 5
Asian 21.4% 3
Black 14.3% 2
Hispanic 7.1% 1
Other 7.1% 1
White: 35.7% (5 students)Asian: 21.4% (3 students)Black: 14.3% (2 students)Hispanic: 7.1% (1 students)Other: 7.1% (1 students)Total14

Student Life & Campus Culture

Where students live, learn, and connect at Palo Alto University. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.

Setting
Rural: Fringe Palo Alto, California
Housing
Commuter campus No on-campus housing
Adult Learners
84% of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NAIA athletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Quarter scheduling structure

What You Can Study

Palo Alto University offers a focused set of programs: 6 distinct programs across 2 majors. Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings. Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.

1 Program

Faculty & Resources

The student-to-faculty ratio at Palo Alto University is 12:1, close to the national average.

Student : Faculty
12:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Endowment
$24M
Modest endowment
Avg Faculty Salary
$133,548
9-month equivalent across all ranks

Faculty by Rank

46 instructional faculty across 3 ranks. The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.

Rank Faculty Count Share Avg Salary
Full Professors 18 39% $155,809
Associate Professors 12 26% $185,670
Assistant Professors 16 35% $69,412

Pros & Cons of Palo Alto University

A quick at-a-glance summary of how Palo Alto University tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.

PROS
  • Small classes (low student-faculty ratio)
  • Tight-knit, close community feel
  • Above-average post-graduation earnings
  • Wide reach of need-based federal aid
  • First-gen-friendly student body
CONS
  • Fewer clubs, activities, and social options
  • Low completion rate, many students don't graduate within six years
  • Narrow program catalog compared to mid-sized peers
Best for: Based on the data, Palo Alto University is a fit for students prioritizing post-graduation earnings; students who thrive in small, close-knit environments.

Frequently Asked Questions about Palo Alto University

Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about Palo Alto University.

What is Palo Alto University known for?
Palo Alto University is best known for its programs in Mental Health Services, Counseling Psychology, Counseling Psychology. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
What do Palo Alto University graduates earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entering Palo Alto University are $83,187, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.
Is Palo Alto University accredited?
Yes. Palo Alto University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission.
How many students attend Palo Alto University?
Palo Alto University enrolls 14 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
What is the graduation rate at Palo Alto University?
Palo Alto University graduates 39% of full-time students within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
Is Palo Alto University a public or private college?
Palo Alto University is a Private Nonprofit institution.
Where is Palo Alto University located?
Palo Alto University is located in Palo Alto, California.
What programs does Palo Alto University offer?
Palo Alto University offers 6 distinct programs. The most popular include Mental Health Services, Counseling Psychology, Counseling Psychology.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at Palo Alto University?
The student-to-faculty ratio at Palo Alto University is 12:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.

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