Catholic colleges with the best earnings for the price in California
Catholic colleges ranked by what former students earn ten years after enrolling, compared with four years of net price.
Catholic colleges with the best earnings for the price in California7 schools
7 schools qualify, ranked by earnings for the price.
How this list is made
- Schools in California.
- Catholic 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 median earnings ten years after enrolling and a net price from federal data (College Scorecard).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by earnings divided by four years of net price, highest first.
Updated Oct. 12, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
University of San Diego
San Diego, CA · Private nonprofit- Earnings are 0.7× the four-year net price
- Earnings $86,522 ten years out
- 2
Saint Mary's College of California
Moraga, CA · Private nonprofit- Earnings are 0.6× the four-year net price
- Earnings $78,812 ten years out
- 3Tie
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA · Private nonprofit- Earnings are 0.5× the four-year net price
- Earnings $109,183 ten years out
- 3Tie
University of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA · Private nonprofit- Earnings are 0.5× the four-year net price
- Earnings $89,812 ten years out
- 3Tie
Thomas Aquinas College
Santa Paula, CA · Private nonprofit- Earnings are 0.5× the four-year net price
- Earnings $55,619 ten years out
- 6Tie
John Paul the Great Catholic University
Escondido, CA · Private nonprofit- Earnings are 0.4× the four-year net price
- Earnings $56,930 ten years out
- 6Tie
Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, CA · Private nonprofit- Earnings are 0.4× the four-year net price
- Earnings $78,349 ten years out
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of San Diego | $30,365 | $22,940 | $86,522 | 84% |
| Saint Mary's College of California | $30,378 | $23,691 | $78,812 | 70% |
| Santa Clara University | $50,062 | $19,162 | $109,183 | 88% |
| University of San Francisco | $41,431 | $23,000 | $89,812 | 70% |
| Thomas Aquinas College | $26,196 | $18,000 | $55,619 | 84% |
| John Paul the Great Catholic University | $34,666 | $26,968 | $56,930 | 64% |
| Loyola Marymount University | $48,381 | $19,500 | $78,349 | 79% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.