Best small Christian colleges in California
Christian colleges with fewer than 2,000 undergraduates, ranked by Compass Score.
Best small Christian colleges in California7 schools
7 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.
- Fewer than 2,000 undergraduate students (federal enrollment).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by Compass Score, highest first. Schools with the same score share a rank.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
Westmont College
Santa Barbara, CA · Private nonprofitHonor Roll- 1,310 undergraduates
- Chapel 3+ times a week
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
Vanguard University of Southern California
Costa Mesa, CA · Private nonprofit- 1,987 undergraduates
- Chapel twice a week
- 6
- 7
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Westmont College | $29,053 | $23,250 | $64,778 | 70% |
| 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% |
| Vanguard University of Southern California | $21,241 | $22,000 | $59,541 | 57% |
| Fresno Pacific University | $13,630 | $23,146 | $58,896 | 50% |
| Life Pacific University | $20,898 | $22,395 | $43,299 | 40% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.