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PrivateRural

Palo Alto University

Pacific Graduate School of Psychology

Palo Alto, California 94304-1337

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Campus Vibe

Small & IntimateRuralPrivate

Top graduate earnings — known for psychology

Palo Alto University is a private rural institution in Palo Alto, California. The school is accessible to a wide range of students.

A small campus of 19 undergraduates with a 12:1 student-faculty ratio. The rural location provides a peaceful, focused academic environment.

graduates earn a median of $83,187 a decade after enrollment.

Established
1975
Motto
Engaging Minds, Improving Lives
Type
Private university

Campus Visits

44 upcoming visits · Next: Mon, Jun 1 · Campus Tour

Plan Your Visit

Acceptance
SAT Avg
19Students
12:1Student:Faculty
Grad Rate
$83,187Earnings 10yr

News & Alerts

program2026-03-15

Palo Alto University Launches New Data Science Minor

Starting Fall 2026, students can pursue an interdisciplinary data science minor combining CS, statistics, and domain courses.

tuition2026-02-28

Tuition Increase Announced for 2026-27

The board of trustees approved a 3.2% tuition increase for the upcoming academic year, in line with peer institutions.

Admissions Intel

Yield Rate

35.0%

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition
Median Debt at Graduation$20,500
Monthly Payment (10yr)$217

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

69.2%

Avg Tuition Increase

3.2%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$15,000

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

0

Peer Average

3

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus security, emergency notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

0

Burglary

0

Aggravated Assault

0

Robbery

0

Motor Vehicle Theft

0

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

0

Drug Arrests

0

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (8)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

85%

Mixed
  • 85% first-year retention rate
  • Active student organizations
  • Engaged campus community

Mental Health Services

Counselor Ratio

1:350

24/7 Crisis Line

Yes

Free Sessions

12 per year

Avg Wait

5 days

Walk-in hours available weekdays

Disability Services

Dedicated OfficeOffice of Disability Services
Extended test timeNote-taking assistanceHousing accommodationsAccessible transportation

ADA-compliant campus with ongoing accessibility improvements

Dining

Rating

★★★★☆

Score

4/5

Meal Plan

$6,200/yr

VegetarianVeganGluten-freeHalalKosher

Multiple dining halls with farm-to-table options

Student Body

Undergrads
19
Gender Split
95% / 5%
Women / Men
First Generation
47%
Pell Grant Recipients
19%

Race & Ethnicity

White 26%
Black 21%
Hispanic 26%
Asian 11%

Outcomes

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$63,310
10 Years$83,187

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#87
1
vs 2024

More About This School

History & Fun Facts

  • History Palo Alto University traces its origins back to 1975 when the Pacific Graduate School of Psychology was founded in Palo Alto.
  • PGSP was established by a group of students and faculty seeking to enhance their knowledge of clinical psychology, with Robert Kantor serving as its first president.
  • In 1984, PGSP welcomed Allen Calvin as its president.
  • Also in 1988, the Kurt and Barbara Gronowski Clinic was established in Palo Alto to provide clinical services to the local community.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

112Above Average

Housing and food costs are higher than national average

Climate (School Year)

68°
Sep
55°
Oct
42°
Nov
30°
Dec
25°
Jan
28°
Feb
38°
Mar
50°
Apr
62°
May
Snowfall: 48"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 120

Nearest Cities

Bostonpop. 675,647
90 miles(95 min)
Hartfordpop. 121,054
60 miles(70 min)

Transit Scores

BikeableCampus shuttle: Free campus shuttle runs 7am-midnight
72
Walk Score
45
Transit Score
68
Bike Score

Local Economy

Unemployment Rate3.2%
Top Employers
UniversityRegional Medical CenterTech corridor firms
Key Industries
EducationHealthcareTechnology

Getting There

Nearest Airports

SJC San Jose14 mi
SFO San Francisco20 mi
SMF Sacramento96 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA2692 mi · ~77h 46m drive
New York, NY2563 mi · ~74h 3m drive
Hartford, CT2618 mi · ~75h 38m drive
Providence, RI2681 mi · ~77h 27m drive
Albany, NY2553 mi · ~73h 45m drive
Syracuse, NY2430 mi · ~70h 12m drive
Rochester, NY2355 mi · ~68h 2m drive
Buffalo, NY2293 mi · ~66h 15m drive
Philadelphia, PA2514 mi · ~72h 38m drive
Pittsburgh, PA2257 mi · ~65h 12m drive
Harrisburg, PA2420 mi · ~69h 55m drive
Newark, NJ2554 mi · ~73h 47m drive
Washington, DC2430 mi · ~70h 12m drive
Baltimore, MD2447 mi · ~70h 41m drive
Atlanta, GA2125 mi · ~61h 23m drive
Charlotte, NC2289 mi · ~66h 8m drive
Raleigh, NC2397 mi · ~69h 15m drive
Miami, FL2576 mi · ~74h 25m drive
Orlando, FL2423 mi · ~70h drive
Tampa, FL2382 mi · ~68h 49m drive
Nashville, TN1950 mi · ~56h 20m drive
New Orleans, LA1907 mi · ~55h 5m drive
Richmond, VA2430 mi · ~70h 12m drive
Chicago, IL1852 mi · ~53h 30m drive
Detroit, MI2085 mi · ~60h 14m drive
Minneapolis, MN1583 mi · ~45h 44m drive
St. Louis, MO1735 mi · ~50h 7m drive
Kansas City, MO1497 mi · ~43h 15m drive
Indianapolis, IN1940 mi · ~56h 3m drive
Columbus, OH2105 mi · ~60h 49m drive
Cleveland, OH2159 mi · ~62h 22m drive
Milwaukee, WI1837 mi · ~53h 4m drive
Dallas, TX1466 mi · ~42h 21m drive
Houston, TX1625 mi · ~46h 57m drive
Austin, TX1482 mi · ~42h 49m drive
San Antonio, TX1468 mi · ~42h 25m drive
Los Angeles, CA319 mi · ~9h 13m drive
San Francisco, CA30 mi · ~52 min drive
San Diego, CA430 mi · ~12h 25m drive
Seattle, WA706 mi · ~20h 24m drive
Portland, OR563 mi · ~16h 16m drive
Denver, CO942 mi · ~27h 13m drive
Phoenix, AZ631 mi · ~18h 14m drive
Salt Lake City, UT599 mi · ~17h 18m drive
Honolulu, HI2399 mi · ~69h 18m drive
Mid-Atlantic / Central (moderate winters, warm summers)

Visit Planning

Suggested Itinerary

9:00 AMArrive & park
Visitor parking lot
Free parking with visitor pass
9:30 AMCheck in at Admissions
Admissions Office
10:00 AMInformation session
Welcome Center
45 minutes
11:00 AMCampus tour
Starts at Welcome Center
75 minutes, student-led
12:30 PMLunch
Main Dining Hall
Visitor meal passes available
1:30 PMDepartment visit
Academic buildings
Schedule with department directly
2:30 PMExplore campus independently
Library, student center, residence halls

Airport Transit

San Jose (SJC)14 miles
Rental car
21 min$40-60/day
Shuttle/rideshare
28 min$17-28
San Francisco (SFO)20 miles
Rental car
30 min$40-60/day
Shuttle/rideshare
40 min$24-40

Deadline Calendar

Palo Alto University Application Checklist

Decision Notifications

Palo Alto University — v2 Preview — TourStack