Catholic colleges where the most freshmen return in California
Catholic colleges ranked by first-year retention: the share of full-time freshmen who come back for a second year.
Catholic colleges where the most freshmen return in California7 schools
7 schools qualify, ranked by first-year retention.
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 a first-year retention rate from federal data (College Scorecard).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by retention rate, highest first.
Updated Oct. 12, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
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John Paul the Great Catholic University
Escondido, CA · Private nonprofit- 85% of freshmen return
- 64% graduate
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Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Clara University | $50,062 | $19,162 | $109,183 | 88% |
| Thomas Aquinas College | $26,196 | $18,000 | $55,619 | 84% |
| University of San Diego | $30,365 | $22,940 | $86,522 | 84% |
| Loyola Marymount University | $48,381 | $19,500 | $78,349 | 79% |
| Saint Mary's College of California | $30,378 | $23,691 | $78,812 | 70% |
| John Paul the Great Catholic University | $34,666 | $26,968 | $56,930 | 64% |
| University of San Francisco | $41,431 | $23,000 | $89,812 | 70% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.