Christian colleges with the lowest student debt in California
Christian colleges whose graduates leave with the least federal student debt.
Christian colleges with the lowest student debt in California12 schools
12 schools qualify, ranked by median debt.
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 the median federal loan debt of graduates from federal data (College Scorecard).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by median debt, lowest first.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
Vanguard University of Southern California
Costa Mesa, CA · Private nonprofit- Median debt $22,000
- 57% graduate
- 2
- 3
Point Loma Nazarene University
San Diego, CA · Private nonprofitHonor Roll- Median debt $22,990
- 77% graduate
- 4
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Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vanguard University of Southern California | $21,241 | $22,000 | $59,541 | 57% |
| Life Pacific University | $20,898 | $22,395 | $43,299 | 40% |
| Point Loma Nazarene University | $38,729 | $22,990 | $63,998 | 77% |
| Hope International University | $29,310 | $23,000 | $49,697 | 49% |
| Fresno Pacific University | $13,630 | $23,146 | $58,896 | 50% |
| Azusa Pacific University | $22,212 | $23,219 | $66,677 | 62% |
| Westmont College | $29,053 | $23,250 | $64,778 | 70% |
| Pepperdine University | $58,098 | $23,510 | $82,939 | 83% |
| William Jessup University | $28,062 | $23,700 | $56,257 | 56% |
| Biola University | $31,495 | $23,875 | $56,778 | 68% |
| California Baptist University | $26,285 | $26,063 | $61,504 | 62% |
| 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.