Christian colleges that spend the most on teaching in California
Christian colleges ranked by instructional spending for each full-time-equivalent student.
Christian colleges that spend the most on teaching in California12 schools
12 schools qualify, ranked by teaching spending per student.
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 instructional spending per full-time-equivalent student from federal data (College Scorecard).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by instructional spending per student, highest first.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
Westmont College
Santa Barbara, CA · Private nonprofitHonor Roll- $22,852 on teaching per student
- 10 students per faculty member
- 2
La Sierra University
Riverside, CA · Private nonprofit- $13,162 on teaching per student
- 12 students per faculty member
- 3
Biola University
La Mirada, CA · Private nonprofitHonor Roll- $12,866 on teaching per student
- 15 students per faculty member
- 4
Point Loma Nazarene University
San Diego, CA · Private nonprofitHonor Roll- $11,365 on teaching per student
- 13 students per faculty member
- 5
William Jessup University
Rocklin, CA · Private nonprofit- $11,189 on teaching per student
- 10 students per faculty member
- 6
Pepperdine University
Malibu, CA · Private nonprofit- $10,390 on teaching per student
- 12 students per faculty member
- 7
Azusa Pacific University
Azusa, CA · Private nonprofitHonor Roll- $10,283 on teaching per student
- 9 students per faculty member
- 8
California Baptist University
Riverside, CA · Private nonprofit- $9,630 on teaching per student
- 21 students per faculty member
- 9
Vanguard University of Southern California
Costa Mesa, CA · Private nonprofit- $8,587 on teaching per student
- 13 students per faculty member
- 10
Fresno Pacific University
Fresno, CA · Private nonprofit- $7,528 on teaching per student
- 10 students per faculty member
- 11
Life Pacific University
San Dimas, CA · Private nonprofit- $6,452 on teaching per student
- 12 students per faculty member
- 12
Hope International University
Fullerton, CA · Private nonprofit- $5,305 on teaching per student
- 13 students per faculty member
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% |
| Biola University | $31,495 | $23,875 | $56,778 | 68% |
| Point Loma Nazarene University | $38,729 | $22,990 | $63,998 | 77% |
| William Jessup University | $28,062 | $23,700 | $56,257 | 56% |
| Pepperdine University | $58,098 | $23,510 | $82,939 | 83% |
| Azusa Pacific University | $22,212 | $23,219 | $66,677 | 62% |
| California Baptist University | $26,285 | $26,063 | $61,504 | 62% |
| 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% |
| Hope International University | $29,310 | $23,000 | $49,697 | 49% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.