Catholic colleges that spend the most on teaching in California
Catholic colleges ranked by instructional spending for each full-time-equivalent student.
Catholic colleges that spend the most on teaching in California7 schools
7 schools qualify, ranked by teaching spending per student.
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 instructional spending per full-time-equivalent student from federal data (College Scorecard).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by instructional spending per student, highest first.
Updated Oct. 12, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA · Private nonprofit- $22,421 on teaching per student
- 11 students per faculty member
- 2
University of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA · Private nonprofit- $20,560 on teaching per student
- 11 students per faculty member
- 3
John Paul the Great Catholic University
Escondido, CA · Private nonprofit- $19,433 on teaching per student
- 15 students per faculty member
- 4
Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, CA · Private nonprofit- $19,325 on teaching per student
- 10 students per faculty member
- 5
University of San Diego
San Diego, CA · Private nonprofit- $18,725 on teaching per student
- 13 students per faculty member
- 6
Thomas Aquinas College
Santa Paula, CA · Private nonprofit- $17,897 on teaching per student
- 11 students per faculty member
- 7
Saint Mary's College of California
Moraga, CA · Private nonprofit- $14,094 on teaching per student
- 10 students per faculty member
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% |
| University of San Francisco | $41,431 | $23,000 | $89,812 | 70% |
| John Paul the Great Catholic University | $34,666 | $26,968 | $56,930 | 64% |
| Loyola Marymount University | $48,381 | $19,500 | $78,349 | 79% |
| 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% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.