University of La Verne

The University of La Verne is a private university located in La Verne, California, in the eastern Los Angeles County region. Founded in 1891, it offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs across several colleges, including arts and sciences, business and public management, education, law, and health and community well-being. The university also operates regional campuses throughout California and provides programs designed for working adults and military students. Historically affiliated with the Church of the Brethren but now nonsectarian, the University of La Verne emphasizes liberal education, civic engagement, and community-based learning. Its suburban campus and flexible program formats attract traditional undergraduates as well as adult and returning students.

The University of La Verne was founded in 1891 in Lordsburg, California, as Lordsburg College by members of the Church of the Brethren. Established to provide higher education grounded in liberal arts and Christian values, the institution served the growing agricultural community of the San Gabriel Valley. In 1917, when the town of Lordsburg was renamed La Verne, the college became La Verne College. During the mid-20th century, the institution expanded its academic offerings, awarding its first master’s degree in 1965 and its first doctorate in 1969. La Verne began developing programs for adult learners in 1969 and later opened regional campuses across California. In 1977, La Verne College officially became the University of La Verne, reflecting its broader academic scope. Today, the University of La Verne operates multiple colleges and regional locations while maintaining its historic campus in La Verne, California.