Catholic School CompassTrue north for Catholic families.

Catholic colleges with the highest graduation rates in California

Catholic colleges ranked by six-year graduation rate, from federal data.

Catholic colleges with the highest graduation rates in California7 schools

7 schools qualify, ranked by graduation rate.

How this list is made

  • Schools in California.
  • Catholic undergraduate colleges on the Compass. Seminaries and graduate-only schools are not counted.
  • Has a graduation rate from federal data (College Scorecard).
  • Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
  • Ordered by graduation rate, highest first.

Updated Oct. 12, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.

  1. 1

    Santa Clara University

    Santa Clara, CA · Private nonprofit
    • 88% graduate
    • 6,249 undergraduates
  2. 2

    Thomas Aquinas College

    Santa Paula, CA · Private nonprofit
    • 84% graduate
    • 539 undergraduates
  3. 3

    University of San Diego

    San Diego, CA · Private nonprofit
    • 84% graduate
    • 5,726 undergraduates
  4. 4

    Loyola Marymount University

    Los Angeles, CA · Private nonprofit
    • 79% graduate
    • 7,336 undergraduates
  5. 5

    Saint Mary's College of California

    Moraga, CA · Private nonprofit
    • 70% graduate
    • 2,044 undergraduates
  6. 6

    University of San Francisco

    San Francisco, CA · Private nonprofit
    • 70% graduate
    • 5,729 undergraduates
  7. 7

    John Paul the Great Catholic University

    Escondido, CA · Private nonprofit
    • 64% graduate
    • 298 undergraduates

Compare cost and outcomes

SchoolNet price a yearMedian debtEarnings 10 years outGraduation rate
Santa Clara University$50,062$19,162$109,18388%
Thomas Aquinas College$26,196$18,000$55,61984%
University of San Diego$30,365$22,940$86,52284%
Loyola Marymount University$48,381$19,500$78,34979%
Saint Mary's College of California$30,378$23,691$78,81270%
University of San Francisco$41,431$23,000$89,81270%
John Paul the Great Catholic University$34,666$26,968$56,93064%

Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.

This list in other states

The national list → · All top school lists →

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