Biola University
Former name | Bible Institute of Los Angeles (1908–1949) Biola College (1949–1981) |
|---|---|
| Motto | Above All Give Glory to God |
| Type | Private university |
| Established | February 25, 1908 |
Religious affiliation | Nondenominational Evangelicalism |
Academic affiliations | CCCU |
| Endowment | $154.6 million (2018) |
| President | Barry H. Corey |
| Provost | Matthew J. Hall |
Academic staff | 475 |
| Undergraduates | 3,596 (2022) |
| Postgraduates | 1,959 (2022) |
| Location | , United States 33°54′20″N 118°01′00″W / 33.9056°N 118.0167°W |
| Campus | Suburban, 96 acres (39 ha) |
| Colors | Red, White, Black |
| Nickname | Eagles |
Sporting affiliations | NCAA Division II – PacWest |
| Website | biola |
Biola University (/baɪˈoʊlə/) is a private, nondenominational, evangelical Christian university in La Mirada, California, United States. It was founded in 1908 as the Bible Institute of Los Angeles as a center for biblical and missionary training. Its campus in downtown Los Angeles features iconic "Jesus Saves" signs and a 3,500-seat auditorium. In 1949, it became Biola College and later adopted the name Biola University in 1981. The school relocated to La Mirada, California, in 1959 and has maintained a strong evangelical identity rooted in conservative theology, as reflected in its association with The Fundamentals: A Testimony to the Truth.
Over the years, Biola expanded its academic offerings beyond biblical studies, adding multiple schools and graduate programs including the Talbot Theological Seminary, Rosemead Graduate School of Professional Psychology, School of Intercultural Studies, Crowell School of Business, and School of Education. Today, Biola offers 47 undergraduate majors, over 150 professional fields of study and degrees ranging from B.A. to Ph.D., all integrated with Christian doctrine.
Biola is also known for its conferences, centers, and athletics. It hosts annual events such as the Missions Conference and the Torrey Memorial Bible Conference. The university supports several academic centers, including the Center for Christian Thought and the Center for Christianity, Culture and the Arts. Athletically, the Biola Eagles compete in NCAA Division II within the Pacific West Conference, fielding 18 varsity sports. Notable alumni include filmmaker Zach King, U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, theologian Josh McDowell, and apologist Nabeel Qureshi.