Catholic colleges that require Catholic theology in California
Catholic colleges where at least one required theology course is explicitly Catholic: Scripture, Catholic tradition, or the sacraments.
Catholic colleges that require Catholic theology in California3 schools
3 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score.
How this list is made
- Schools in California.
- Catholic undergraduate colleges on the Compass. Seminaries and graduate-only schools are not counted.
- At least one required course is explicitly Catholic theology (rubric indicator T2).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by Compass Score, highest first. Schools with the same score share a rank.
Updated Oct. 12, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
Thomas Aquinas College
Santa Paula, CA · Private nonprofit- Required Catholic theology
- 3+ required theology courses
- 2
John Paul the Great Catholic University
Escondido, CA · Private nonprofit- Required Catholic theology
- 3+ required theology courses
- 3
Saint Mary's College of California
Moraga, CA · Private nonprofit- Required Catholic theology
- 2 required theology courses
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thomas Aquinas College | $26,196 | $18,000 | $55,619 | 84% |
| John Paul the Great Catholic University | $34,666 | $26,968 | $56,930 | 64% |
| Saint Mary's College of California | $30,378 | $23,691 | $78,812 | 70% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.