
Los Angeles Pacific University (LAPU) grew out of an online-focused educational initiative associated with Azusa Pacific University. It later became a separate university and adopted the Los Angeles Pacific University name. That history helps explain why its programs are designed primarily for students studying away from a traditional residential campus.
The distinction between LAPU and Azusa Pacific University matters: they are separate institutions. Applicants should use LAPU's own catalog, accreditation record, tuition schedule, and degree requirements rather than assuming an APU policy applies.
LAPU offers undergraduate and graduate programs organized around fields such as business, psychology, health sciences, criminal justice, and liberal studies. Its academic model emphasizes online coursework rather than a collection of campus-based schools with separate classroom facilities.
Prospective students should compare the exact credential and curriculum, not just a subject name. A bachelor's degree in psychology, for example, serves a different purpose from graduate preparation for a licensed clinical profession. The current academic catalog is the place to check required courses, concentrations, supervised experiences, and whether a program meets requirements in the state where a student intends to work.
LAPU is based in San Dimas, California, in the eastern part of Los Angeles County. Its location functions primarily as the university's institutional base; students evaluating LAPU should not assume that attending means taking classes on a San Dimas campus.
San Dimas is a suburban community within the greater Los Angeles region. Because an online program can include scheduled meetings, fieldwork, or other location-dependent requirements, applicants should check the delivery details of their particular degree rather than relying on the university's mailing address alone.
LAPU describes its educational purpose in Christian terms and focuses on making higher education accessible to students whose schedules or circumstances may not suit a conventional campus program. Its connection to the Azusa Pacific educational tradition is part of that identity.
A stated mission is an expression of institutional priorities, not evidence that every student will have the same experience. Applicants for whom religious affiliation matters should examine the current mission statement, student policies, and individual course descriptions to understand how that identity appears in their program.
Name of the institution
Los Angeles Pacific UniversityLevel of institution
Four or more yearsControl of institution
PrivateSetting type
Suburb: LargeInstitutional Category
Degree - granting, primarily baccalaureate or aboveInstitution size category
1,000 - 4,999Los Angeles Pacific University is institutionally accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission, an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation confirms that the school meets quality standards and is required for students to receive federal financial aid.
Certificate of at least 1 year, but less than 2 years
Associate's degree
Bachelor's degree
Master's degreeData last updated on November 2, 2026
Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026
Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.