For the second year in a row, La Mirada, the city home to Biola University, was ranked among the top 10 college towns in California by RentCafe. Of the 13 ranked California towns, only five were in Southern California, placing Biola among the top two in the region. La Mirada placed ahead of Southern California cities Claremont, Santa Clara and San Marcos. The ranking methodology considered 12 main factors about a college town, grouped into the categories of overall affordability, education, and quality of life.

For students, choosing Biola means choosing a city that supports both their academic and everyday lives.

“Choosing a university is an investment in a student’s future, and the environment is a vital part of that value,” said Fitsum Mulat, vice president of Enrollment Management. “In La Mirada, Biola students enjoy the safety and vibrancy of a college town while being minutes from the global hubs of Los Angeles and Orange Counties. This proximity creates a living laboratory where a biblically centered education is paired with access to premier internships that launch careers.”

This year, student retention rates were considered in the rankings, bumping Biola up 17 spots on the national list from last year, underscoring Biola's student satisfaction and happiness. The city of La Mirada performed very well on RentCafe’s livability scale in certain areas, ranking at No. 1 for the ratio of establishments per capita, as well as No. 2 for its natural amenity score. According to RentCafe, these are very important to Gen Z. For Biola students, this means access to high-quality off-campus establishments in a naturally beautiful area.

Students from any major have access to internship and job opportunities, major entertainment hubs and both the coast and mountains, all within 50 miles of Biola’s campus in La Mirada.

“La Mirada is in a unique position between LA and Orange County, with easy access to a variety of things to do. I’ve been able to intern in L.A. during the week, go to beautiful Southern California beaches, like Newport and Laguna on weekends, and then come home to La Mirada at the end of it all,” said Taitem Brown, a recent Spring 2026 graduate who majored in business administration with a concentration in marketing. “I don’t think there will be another time in my life when so many places are as easily accessible as they are now while I am at Biola.”

RentCafe considers 12 pieces of criteria when ranking college towns. In the affordability category, they consider a college’s tuition and fees, a city’s cost of living and the percentage of students receiving grant or scholarship aid. In terms of a city’s livability, RentCafe considers the ratio of arts, entertainment and recreation establishments to the county population, the share of the population with higher education, the share of young adults aged 20 to 29, the natural amenity scale and the air quality index. Retention rate, student-to-faculty ratio, graduation rate and admission yield, all things Biola excels in, are all considered in the education category.

“La Mirada ranked as the 30th best college town in the West in our 2026 ranking, and it took the 140th position nationally,” said Mihaela Buzec, RentCafe’s senior writer and researcher. “We wanted to see which college towns best respond to the interests of Gen Z, the main cohort for college student candidates, and the metrics we chose for analysis reflect this. La Mirada scored well on key livability factors (natural amenities and cultural and entertainment establishments), which are important for Gen Zers balancing well-being with professional opportunities.”

Biola sits between Los Angeles and Orange Counties, placing it perfectly in the middle of some of the country’s top entertainment, sports, natural amenities and career opportunities. The Biola experience is like no other. Learn more and apply to become part of the Biola community for Fall 2026.

Written by Sarah Dougher, strategic communication manager. For more information, email sarah.m.dougher@biola.edu.