Lowest net price for middle-income families in California
Christian colleges with the lowest average yearly price after grants for families earning $30,000 to $75,000.
Lowest net price for middle-income families in California12 schools
12 schools qualify, ranked by net price for families earning $30,000–$75,000.
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 a net price for families earning $30,000 to $75,000 from federal data (College Scorecard); it covers students who receive federal aid.
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by that net price, lowest first.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
Fresno Pacific University
Fresno, CA · Private nonprofit- $11,373 a year for families earning $30,000–$75,000
- 50% graduate
- 2
Life Pacific University
San Dimas, CA · Private nonprofit- $18,408 a year for families earning $30,000–$75,000
- 40% graduate
- 3
Westmont College
Santa Barbara, CA · Private nonprofitHonor Roll- $18,467 a year for families earning $30,000–$75,000
- 70% graduate
- 4
Vanguard University of Southern California
Costa Mesa, CA · Private nonprofit- $18,715 a year for families earning $30,000–$75,000
- 57% graduate
- 5
California Baptist University
Riverside, CA · Private nonprofit- $22,313 a year for families earning $30,000–$75,000
- 62% graduate
- 6
Azusa Pacific University
Azusa, CA · Private nonprofitHonor Roll- $22,353 a year for families earning $30,000–$75,000
- 62% graduate
- 7
William Jessup University
Rocklin, CA · Private nonprofit- $24,078 a year for families earning $30,000–$75,000
- 56% graduate
- 8
Biola University
La Mirada, CA · Private nonprofitHonor Roll- $26,226 a year for families earning $30,000–$75,000
- 68% graduate
- 9
Hope International University
Fullerton, CA · Private nonprofit- $32,161 a year for families earning $30,000–$75,000
- 49% graduate
- 10
Point Loma Nazarene University
San Diego, CA · Private nonprofitHonor Roll- $32,605 a year for families earning $30,000–$75,000
- 77% graduate
- 11
La Sierra University
Riverside, CA · Private nonprofit- $45,125 a year for families earning $30,000–$75,000
- 60% graduate
- 12
Pepperdine University
Malibu, CA · Private nonprofit- $47,073 a year for families earning $30,000–$75,000
- 83% graduate
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% |
| Life Pacific University | $20,898 | $22,395 | $43,299 | 40% |
| Westmont College | $29,053 | $23,250 | $64,778 | 70% |
| Vanguard University of Southern California | $21,241 | $22,000 | $59,541 | 57% |
| California Baptist University | $26,285 | $26,063 | $61,504 | 62% |
| Azusa Pacific University | $22,212 | $23,219 | $66,677 | 62% |
| 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% |
| La Sierra University | $45,566 | $27,000 | $61,824 | 60% |
| Pepperdine University | $58,098 | $23,510 | $82,939 | 83% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.