Lowest net price for middle-income families in California
Catholic colleges with the lowest average yearly price after grants for families earning $30,000 to $75,000.
Lowest net price for middle-income families in California7 schools
7 schools qualify, ranked by net price for families earning $30,000–$75,000.
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 net price for families earning $30,000 to $75,000 from federal data (College Scorecard); it covers students who receive federal aid.
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by that net price, lowest first.
Updated Oct. 12, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
University of San Diego
San Diego, CA · Private nonprofit- $18,782 a year for families earning $30,000–$75,000
- 84% graduate
- 2
Thomas Aquinas College
Santa Paula, CA · Private nonprofit- $20,447 a year for families earning $30,000–$75,000
- 84% graduate
- 3
Saint Mary's College of California
Moraga, CA · Private nonprofit- $22,001 a year for families earning $30,000–$75,000
- 70% graduate
- 4
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA · Private nonprofit- $22,842 a year for families earning $30,000–$75,000
- 88% graduate
- 5
John Paul the Great Catholic University
Escondido, CA · Private nonprofit- $32,186 a year for families earning $30,000–$75,000
- 64% graduate
- 6
University of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA · Private nonprofit- $33,838 a year for families earning $30,000–$75,000
- 70% graduate
- 7
Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, CA · Private nonprofit- $34,420 a year for families earning $30,000–$75,000
- 79% graduate
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% |
| Thomas Aquinas College | $26,196 | $18,000 | $55,619 | 84% |
| Saint Mary's College of California | $30,378 | $23,691 | $78,812 | 70% |
| Santa Clara University | $50,062 | $19,162 | $109,183 | 88% |
| John Paul the Great Catholic University | $34,666 | $26,968 | $56,930 | 64% |
| University of San Francisco | $41,431 | $23,000 | $89,812 | 70% |
| 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.