Christian colleges that require the most Bible and theology in California
Christian colleges that require every bachelor’s student to take three or more Bible or theology courses, then those that require two.
Christian colleges that require the most Bible and theology in California12 schools
12 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score.
How this list is made
- Schools in California.
- Christian undergraduate colleges on the Compass. Seminaries and graduate-only schools are not counted.
- Bible or theology courses required of all bachelor’s students: three or more, or two.
- Colleges requiring three or more courses come first, then colleges requiring two. Within each group, higher Compass Score comes first.
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
Biola University
La Mirada, CA · Private nonprofitHonor Roll- 3+ required Bible or theology courses
- Required Old and New Testament study
- 2
Westmont College
Santa Barbara, CA · Private nonprofitHonor Roll- 3+ required Bible or theology courses
- Required Old and New Testament study
- 3
Azusa Pacific University
Azusa, CA · Private nonprofitHonor Roll- 3+ required Bible or theology courses
- Required Old and New Testament study
- 4
Point Loma Nazarene University
San Diego, CA · Private nonprofitHonor Roll- 3+ required Bible or theology courses
- Required Old and New Testament study
- 5
- 6
William Jessup University
Rocklin, CA · Private nonprofit- 3+ required Bible or theology courses
- Required Old and New Testament study
- 7
Hope International University
Fullerton, CA · Private nonprofit- 3+ required Bible or theology courses
- Required Old and New Testament study
- 8
- 9
Vanguard University of Southern California
Costa Mesa, CA · Private nonprofit- 3+ required Bible or theology courses
- Required Old and New Testament study
- 10
Life Pacific University
San Dimas, CA · Private nonprofit- 3+ required Bible or theology courses
- Required Old and New Testament study
- 11
- 12
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biola University | $31,495 | $23,875 | $56,778 | 68% |
| Westmont College | $29,053 | $23,250 | $64,778 | 70% |
| Azusa Pacific University | $22,212 | $23,219 | $66,677 | 62% |
| Point Loma Nazarene University | $38,729 | $22,990 | $63,998 | 77% |
| La Sierra University | $45,566 | $27,000 | $61,824 | 60% |
| William Jessup University | $28,062 | $23,700 | $56,257 | 56% |
| Hope International University | $29,310 | $23,000 | $49,697 | 49% |
| Pepperdine University | $58,098 | $23,510 | $82,939 | 83% |
| Vanguard University of Southern California | $21,241 | $22,000 | $59,541 | 57% |
| Life Pacific University | $20,898 | $22,395 | $43,299 | 40% |
| California Baptist University | $26,285 | $26,063 | $61,504 | 62% |
| Fresno Pacific University | $13,630 | $23,146 | $58,896 | 50% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.