Christian colleges with the best earnings for the price in California
Christian colleges ranked by what former students earn ten years after enrolling, compared with four years of net price.
Christian colleges with the best earnings for the price in California12 schools
12 schools qualify, ranked by earnings for the price.
How this list is made
- Schools in California.
- Christian undergraduate colleges on the Compass. Seminaries and graduate-only schools are not counted.
- Faith grade B or better (Faith score 70 or higher). Cost and outcomes never change a grade.
- Has median earnings ten years after enrolling and a net price from federal data (College Scorecard).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by earnings divided by four years of net price, highest first.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
Fresno Pacific University
Fresno, CA · Private nonprofit- Earnings are 1.1× the four-year net price
- Earnings $58,896 ten years out
- 2
Azusa Pacific University
Azusa, CA · Private nonprofitHonor Roll- Earnings are 0.8× the four-year net price
- Earnings $66,677 ten years out
- 3
Vanguard University of Southern California
Costa Mesa, CA · Private nonprofit- Earnings are 0.7× the four-year net price
- Earnings $59,541 ten years out
- 4Tie
California Baptist University
Riverside, CA · Private nonprofit- Earnings are 0.6× the four-year net price
- Earnings $61,504 ten years out
- 4Tie
Westmont College
Santa Barbara, CA · Private nonprofitHonor Roll- Earnings are 0.6× the four-year net price
- Earnings $64,778 ten years out
- 6Tie
Life Pacific University
San Dimas, CA · Private nonprofit- Earnings are 0.5× the four-year net price
- Earnings $43,299 ten years out
- 6Tie
William Jessup University
Rocklin, CA · Private nonprofit- Earnings are 0.5× the four-year net price
- Earnings $56,257 ten years out
- 6Tie
Biola University
La Mirada, CA · Private nonprofitHonor Roll- Earnings are 0.5× the four-year net price
- Earnings $56,778 ten years out
- 9Tie
Hope International University
Fullerton, CA · Private nonprofit- Earnings are 0.4× the four-year net price
- Earnings $49,697 ten years out
- 9Tie
Point Loma Nazarene University
San Diego, CA · Private nonprofitHonor Roll- Earnings are 0.4× the four-year net price
- Earnings $63,998 ten years out
- 9Tie
Pepperdine University
Malibu, CA · Private nonprofit- Earnings are 0.4× the four-year net price
- Earnings $82,939 ten years out
- 12
La Sierra University
Riverside, CA · Private nonprofit- Earnings are 0.3× the four-year net price
- Earnings $61,824 ten years out
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fresno Pacific University | $13,630 | $23,146 | $58,896 | 50% |
| Azusa Pacific University | $22,212 | $23,219 | $66,677 | 62% |
| Vanguard University of Southern California | $21,241 | $22,000 | $59,541 | 57% |
| California Baptist University | $26,285 | $26,063 | $61,504 | 62% |
| Westmont College | $29,053 | $23,250 | $64,778 | 70% |
| Life Pacific University | $20,898 | $22,395 | $43,299 | 40% |
| William Jessup University | $28,062 | $23,700 | $56,257 | 56% |
| Biola University | $31,495 | $23,875 | $56,778 | 68% |
| Hope International University | $29,310 | $23,000 | $49,697 | 49% |
| Point Loma Nazarene University | $38,729 | $22,990 | $63,998 | 77% |
| Pepperdine University | $58,098 | $23,510 | $82,939 | 83% |
| La Sierra University | $45,566 | $27,000 | $61,824 | 60% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.