Christian colleges with the strongest Christian community in California
Christian colleges ranked by the Christian community pillar: spiritual life staff, retreats, Bible studies and small groups, and faculty who share the college’s faith.
Christian colleges with the strongest Christian community in California11 schools
11 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.
- Has a graded Christian community pillar and a complete Compass Score.
- Ordered by the Christian community pillar score alone, highest first. Schools with the same score share a rank.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
Biola University
La Mirada, CA · Private nonprofitHonor Roll- Christian community: grade A
- Many Bible studies and groups
- 2
Life Pacific University
San Dimas, CA · Private nonprofit- Christian community: grade B
- Many Bible studies and groups
- 3Tie
Point Loma Nazarene University
San Diego, CA · Private nonprofitHonor Roll- Christian community: grade B
- Many Bible studies and groups
- 3Tie
Vanguard University of Southern California
Costa Mesa, CA · Private nonprofit- Christian community: grade B
- Some Bible studies and groups
- 3Tie
Fresno Pacific University
Fresno, CA · Private nonprofit- Christian community: grade B
- Many Bible studies and groups
- 3Tie
California Baptist University
Riverside, CA · Private nonprofit- Christian community: grade B
- Some Bible studies and groups
- 7
Hope International University
Fullerton, CA · Private nonprofit- Christian community: grade B
- Many Bible studies and groups
- 8
Westmont College
Santa Barbara, CA · Private nonprofitHonor Roll- Christian community: grade B
- Many Bible studies and groups
- 9
Azusa Pacific University
Azusa, CA · Private nonprofitHonor Roll- Christian community: grade B
- Some Bible studies and groups
- 10
La Sierra University
Riverside, CA · Private nonprofit- Christian community: grade B
- Many Bible studies and groups
- 11
Pepperdine University
Malibu, CA · Private nonprofit- Christian community: grade C
- Some Bible studies and groups
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biola University | $31,495 | $23,875 | $56,778 | 68% |
| Life Pacific University | $20,898 | $22,395 | $43,299 | 40% |
| Point Loma Nazarene University | $38,729 | $22,990 | $63,998 | 77% |
| Vanguard University of Southern California | $21,241 | $22,000 | $59,541 | 57% |
| Fresno Pacific University | $13,630 | $23,146 | $58,896 | 50% |
| California Baptist University | $26,285 | $26,063 | $61,504 | 62% |
| Hope International University | $29,310 | $23,000 | $49,697 | 49% |
| Westmont College | $29,053 | $23,250 | $64,778 | 70% |
| Azusa Pacific University | $22,212 | $23,219 | $66,677 | 62% |
| 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.