Across the nation, people are increasingly weighing the benefits and costs of obtaining a college degree, yet studies continue to show that getting a college degree is worth it. Since the decision to even attend college is being scrutinized, selecting the right college that will provide the best return on investment is vital.
The Employment Data
According to a study by the Public Policy Institute of California, workers with a bachelor’s degree earn 61% more and those with a graduate degree earn 89% more on average each year than those with a high school degree. College graduates are also more likely to land jobs that offer health insurance, retirement programs, paid vacation, flexible work arrangements, and opportunities for wage growth, and are less likely to face unemployment.
While earning a college degree comes with a price tag, the long-term benefits far outweigh the up-front costs. Choosing to pursue a college education is an investment in your future, and the choice of where to go to school is an extremely important one.
APU’s Position in the Higher Education Landscape
While there are more than 5,000 higher education institutions across the country, few offer a high level of return on investment. For the second consecutive year, the Wall Street Journal named Azusa Pacific University the top Christian university in California and the top university among institutions in the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU), in its 2026 Best Colleges in the U.S. rankings. APU also was No. 1 in Salaries for Graduates among those in the CCCU. Ranked No. 62 nationally, APU also made the top 1% of all U.S. colleges in the WSJ’s lists for Student Experience (No. 46) and Social Mobility (No. 54), while ranking in the top 5% for Best Salaries (No. 149) and Best Value (No. 204).
The Wall Street Journal/College Pulse Best Colleges in the U.S. is the preeminent national college ranking report. Unlike other national rankings, which focus on admission rates and subjective criteria such as peer reputation, the WSJ’s methodology prioritizes outcomes that set graduates up for financial success. Their largest methodology factors are salary impact (33%), graduation rate impact (20%), and years to pay off net price of tuition (17%). Other distinct factors include diversity, learning opportunities, preparation for career, learning facilities, and recommendation from current students. APU received increased scores in all of these categories, while also reducing the amount of time to pay off the net price of tuition for graduates. In short, these rankings measure the return on investment that students get for their education.
“This significant recognition once again by the Wall Street Journal affirms that earning a degree from Azusa Pacific is an investment that pays off,” said Adam J. Morris, PhD, president.
APU is dedicated to training future leaders across a variety of fields—including nursing, teaching, social work, business, engineering, physical therapy, the performing arts, and the humanities. Students receive a world-class education from dedicated faculty who are committed to their spiritual development and success long after graduation, and they also build lasting friendships and invaluable connections with others to help them down the road.
Below, three APU alumni share how their APU education equipped them to achieve in their career and in life.
Alumni Impact
Bailey Wilson ’18
After graduating from APU with a BS in Marketing, Wilson moved to Australia for a year before returning home to Oklahoma to be with her father, who had been diagnosed with bladder cancer. To care for her father’s health, she began making acai bowls, which soon spawned an idea to start an acai bowl food truck. In April 2020, Wilson opened her first Bondi Bowls food truck; five years later, she has grown her business to 18 locations (nine food trucks and nine brick-and-mortar stores) across the country. In October, Wilson returned to APU to celebrate the grand opening of a Bondi Bowls kiosk inside APU’s Cougars’ Den Cafe. Wilson said her APU education set her up for entrepreneurial success: “I’m incredibly grateful for my APU education. It shaped the way I lead—grounded in Christian ethics and servant leadership. The values I learned influenced the growth and mission of Bondi Bowls. Pursuing higher education was essential to my personal and professional development. The relationships I built continue to be a source of support and mentorship.”
Josh Holm ’15
Originally from South Korea, Holm was adopted by an American family at 5 years old. After graduating from APU, Holm visited his birth mother in Korea, and on that trip he discovered his passion for fashion. He returned to the U.S., and after years of learning the cut-and-sew process, he launched his own design label, Castles & Queens. Just four years later, Holm has shared his designs at fashion shows across the world and was named to the Forbes 30-Under-30 list. Holm reflected on how his APU education equipped him for his journey: “Thinking about APU, I am always reminded of the character development that shaped me into the man I am today, invaluable skills and assets that launched me into my careers as an artist, entrepreneur, and visionary. My education at APU helped me start my businesses and taught me how to discern God’s unique voice in my life, business, and leadership.”
Randall Trice ’19, MSW ’20
After graduating from APU with a bachelor’s and master’s in social work, Trice was inspired to start a nonprofit called Shoes4Grades, which donates shoes to children in need while encouraging them to do well academically. His company has donated thousands of pairs of shoes and the recipients have improved their grades, giving them a better chance to be the first in their family to go to college, like Trice was. Trice also works at First Day, a nonprofit dedicated to ending homelessness, where he draws on lessons he learned at APU in his social work classes: “I believe education is always worth it, but my experience at APU made it especially meaningful. The values-driven environment and focus on servant leadership helped shape who I am today as a chief program officer working to house individuals experiencing homelessness. APU didn’t just educate me, it prepared me to lead with purpose and compassion.”
Outcomes That Matter
Earning a degree from APU enables graduates to pursue successful careers with high salaries so they can support their families and give to others. What makes APU special, however, are the outcomes from having a Christ-centered education taught by faculty who invest in their students: Students are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in their careers, and are transformed in their faith to be lights in their chosen fields. From starting businesses that serve healthy meals and cultivate community to leading nonprofits with purpose and compassion, APU graduates are prepared to have an eternal impact in the world for Christ.