Peter's Hidden Gem Series #12: The University of Redlands
FACTS ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF REDLANDS (CA)
The University of Redlands is a private liberal arts college located in Redlands, California, with additional campuses in Burbank and San Anselmo. Recently, they merged with Woodbury College (Burbank). The merger added Woodbury's popular and creative programs, including its School of Architecture, Business Institute, Center for Interdisciplinary Studies, and School of Design and Media Arts. It operates on a 4-4-1 calendar. Their May Term is an optional (but strongly recommended…and popular) 4-week accelerated term throughout in late Spring. Many students use this month to take a single intensive course on campus, do a brief internship, or take advantage of their travel programs to study abroad.
The University of Redlands has approximately 2,000 total undergraduate students, with 1,500 of them living as residential students on its main campus. Its 160-acre main residential campus is in Redlands, California. The city of Redlands has approximately 74,000 residents. Redlands is part of the Riverside–San Bernardino metropolitan area of California, 63 miles from Los Angeles.
Its main campus has a dense urban forest of over 3,000 trees. The university is strongly committed to forestry management and is recognized as a Tree Campus USA by the Arbor Day Foundation. The university operates the Sustainable University of Redlands Farm (SURF) where students and staff manage orange groves and a variety of other fruit trees.
The University of Redlands offers 40 undergraduate majors and minors. Including all its campuses, the university offers more than 60 undergraduate programs. Its most popular programs include Business Administration, Psychology, Environmental Studies, Public Policy, Media & Communication, and Creative Writing.
The acceptance rate at the University of Redlands is 83%. It considers a wide range of students (C+ to A+).
2026-2027 Fees:
Expense Category | Cost Per Semester | Cost Per Year |
Tuition | $31,895 | $63,790 |
Housing (Double Room) | $6,752 | $13,504 |
Food | $2,953 | $5,906 |
Misc Student Fees | $375 | $750 |
Total Direct Sticker Price | $41,975 | $83,980 |
However…
After merit scholarships (that average over $37K), most families (even families that do not qualify for need-based assistance) pay less than the low $40K’s without loans. In fact, including students who receive need-based aid, the average amount that students pay is less than $29K. This is a financially stable college (Forbes gives them a solid B for financial strength). Their endowment is over $254 million.
PROGRAM SPOTLIGHTS:
From their merger with Woodbury, their University of Redlands, Los Angeles, offers undergraduate degrees in Accounting, Animation + VFX, an Architecture BBA-MBA Accelerated Program, Computer Information Systems, Construction Management, Fashion Design, Fashion Marketing, Filmmaking BA, Filmmaking BFA, Game Art & Design, Graphic + Experience Design, Interdisciplinary Studies, Interior Design, Management, Marketing, and Public Safety Administration. On the graduate level, they offer an accelerated program toward a Master of Architecture, a Master of Business Administration (MBA), a Master of Interior Design, a Master of Science in Architecture, and a Master’s in Interdisciplinary Design.
JOHNSTON CENTER FOR INTEGRATIVE STUDIES (note: separate supplemental application needed)
From their website:
“Design your own education!
“The Johnston Center’s design-your-own-degree program invites you to create an education that is truly your own. Instead of being told what you should study, you'll be asked what you want to learn and given the tools to make it happen. That is academic freedom like you've never experienced.
“Housed in the College of Arts and Sciences, the Johnston Center for Integrative Studies offers a design-your-own-degree program that empowers you to take your education into your own hands. Every Johnston student earns either a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree, but no two majors are the same. Working alongside dedicated faculty and staff, you'll create an individualized curriculum tailored to your unique interests, passions, and future career goals. This academic plan will bring together classes from multiple departments to match your educational vision.
“Examples of Johnston degrees are as varied as our students:
→ Exercise Studies and Outdoor Leadership
→ Animal Behavior and Ecology
→ Interdisciplinary Approaches to Art, Identity, and Community
→ Biomedical Humanities and Global Health Ethics
→ Global Business in the Digital Age
→ Machine Learning and Data Analysis
→ Art Therapy
→ Digital Arts in Graphic and Game Design.”
HUMAN-ANIMAL STUDIES
From their website:
“What is a human-animal studies degree?
“Being the only program in California and one of only nine in the nation, the Human-Animal Studies (HAST) program will have you exploring ecological, biological, literary, psychological, and ethical connections between our own species and others. You will also acquire a greater understanding of the ways in which animals figure in our lives and we in theirs.
“Why should you major in human-animal studies at Redlands?
“In the HAST program at University of Redlands, you will be given agency to study what most interests you about the subject. Be it veterinary in nature, shelter or sanctuary work, zoos, non-profit organizations, animal law, or animal-assisted therapy, the education is tailored to you. You will apply knowledge gained through community volunteering or research opportunities, while discovering your career fit. Hands-on work will provide you with skills in communication, critical thinking, problem analysis, and teamwork for positions in animal control, shelter or rescue management, zookeeping, or animal-assisted therapy.
“The HAST major can be combined with a second major and aligns well with biology, environmental studies, philosophy, or psychology.”
GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS (GIS)
From their website:
“The Bachelor of Arts in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) program will prepare you for high-demand careers across a wide range of fields and disciplines. You will be provided with unrivaled GIS education through distinctive program features that include applied GIS technology, one-on-one mentorship, real-world problem solving, and a close relationship with Esri—the global leader in GIS, headquartered locally in Redlands.
“Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is a spatial system that connects data to a map, integrating location data with all types of descriptive information. The demand for GIS professionals is increasing as technology continues to yield benefits for virtually every field. Program curriculum focuses on applied, career-oriented skills through core classes that emphasize real-world problem-solving and a senior seminar that helps you identify and compete for GIS internships and jobs.
“Majoring in Geographic Information Systems at Redlands will prepare you to become a specialist capable of illustrating an understanding of spatial concepts across diverse applications in business, urban planning, emergency management, and much more. As you work toward harnessing the power of the subject, you will produce maps that communicate, perform analysis, share information, and solve complex problems in the world around you. You can easily bridge your GIS skill set across many industries. As a GIS professional, your career options will range across sectors including government, utilities, and many others.
Website: https://www.redlands.edu/
Link to their virtual tour information:
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