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.
AccreditorWestern Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
Academic CalendarQuarter
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—
Affordability64
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.
$5,50010%percentile
$12,35725%percentile
$20,500Medianpercentile
$25,00075%percentile
$25,00090%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.
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
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: FringePalo Alto, California
Housing
Commuter campusNo on-campus housing
Adult Learners
84%of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NAIAathletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Quarterscheduling 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.
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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