Catholic colleges with the strongest Catholic core in California
Catholic colleges ranked by the theology and core pillar: required theology and philosophy, Catholic content, and the core curriculum.
Catholic colleges with the strongest Catholic core in California7 schools
7 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score.
How this list is made
- Schools in California.
- Catholic undergraduate colleges on the Compass. Seminaries and graduate-only schools are not counted.
- Has a graded theology and core pillar and a complete Compass Score.
- Ordered by the theology and core pillar score alone, highest first. Schools with the same score share a rank.
Updated Oct. 12, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1Tie
Thomas Aquinas College
Santa Paula, CA · Private nonprofit- Catholic core: grade A
- 3+ required theology courses
- 1Tie
John Paul the Great Catholic University
Escondido, CA · Private nonprofit- Catholic core: grade A
- 3+ required theology courses
- 3
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA · Private nonprofit- Catholic core: grade B
- 3+ required theology courses
- 4
Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, CA · Private nonprofit- Catholic core: grade B
- 2 required theology courses
- 5
Saint Mary's College of California
Moraga, CA · Private nonprofit- Catholic core: grade C
- 2 required theology courses
- 6
University of San Diego
San Diego, CA · Private nonprofit- Catholic core: grade C
- 2 required theology courses
- 7
University of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA · Private nonprofit- Catholic core: grade D
- 1 required theology course
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thomas Aquinas College | $26,196 | $18,000 | $55,619 | 84% |
| John Paul the Great Catholic University | $34,666 | $26,968 | $56,930 | 64% |
| Santa Clara University | $50,062 | $19,162 | $109,183 | 88% |
| Loyola Marymount University | $48,381 | $19,500 | $78,349 | 79% |
| Saint Mary's College of California | $30,378 | $23,691 | $78,812 | 70% |
| University of San Diego | $30,365 | $22,940 | $86,522 | 84% |
| 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.