California
Catholic Colleges in California
California has 13 accredited Catholic colleges (9 undergraduate, plus seminaries and graduate schools). 7 have a faith scorecard so far, and 5 are Compass Recommended. 19 other colleges have strong Catholic life on campus (a Catholic Life Score of 70 or higher).
Map of colleges for Catholic students in California
Hover or tap a dot to see the school and its score.
Compass ScoreCatholic Life ScoreNot yet ratedMap: U.S. Census Bureau boundaries; roads and places © OpenStreetMap contributors via OpenFreeMap.
Highest-rated Catholic colleges in California
Top lists in California
- 7 schoolsBest Catholic colleges
- 6 schoolsCatholic colleges with Mass every weekday
- 3 schoolsCatholic colleges with weekly or perpetual adoration
- 6 schoolsCatholic colleges that require the most theology
- 3 schoolsCatholic colleges that require Catholic theology
- 4 schoolsCatholic colleges with single-sex residence halls
- 7 schoolsCatholic colleges with the strongest sacramental life
- 7 schoolsCatholic colleges with the strongest Catholic core
Show all 33 lists
- 7 schoolsCatholic colleges with the strongest campus culture
- 6 schoolsCatholic colleges with the strongest service and justice
- 6 schoolsCatholic colleges with a full-time priest chaplain
- 3 schoolsBest Jesuit colleges
- 5 schoolsBest Catholic colleges for engineering
- 6 schoolsBest Catholic colleges for business
- 5 schoolsBest Catholic colleges for biology and pre-med
- 5 schoolsBest Catholic colleges for psychology
- 5 schoolsBest Catholic colleges for philosophy
- 3 schoolsBest Catholic colleges for computer science
- 6 schoolsBest Catholic colleges for communications and journalism
- 7 schoolsBest value Catholic colleges
- 7 schoolsMost affordable Catholic colleges with a strong faith grade
- 7 schoolsCatholic colleges with the highest graduation rates
- 7 schoolsCatholic colleges with the biggest discount off the sticker price
- 7 schoolsLowest net price for middle-income families
- 7 schoolsCatholic colleges with the lowest student debt
- 7 schoolsCatholic colleges with the best earnings for the price
- 7 schoolsCatholic colleges that pay for themselves fastest
- 7 schoolsBest value Catholic colleges in the West
- 7 schoolsCatholic colleges where the most freshmen return
- 7 schoolsCatholic colleges with the most faculty per student
- 7 schoolsCatholic colleges that spend the most on teaching
- 7 schoolsMost selective Catholic colleges
- 5 schoolsBest Catholic life at the 50 largest four-year universities
All Catholic colleges in California
| School | Compass Score | Faith | Academics | Net price | Students |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thomas Aquinas College RecommendedCompass Recommended: a Faith score of 80 or higher, at least three of the four pillars rated, and none below C (55). A school with an Academic Excellence score must also reach 80 on its Compass Score.CatholicCatholic college: federal data lists a Roman Catholic affiliation (or it has been verified as Catholic), so it gets the full four-pillar faith scorecard. Santa Paula · Private nonprofit | AFaith: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist. | AAcademics: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist. | $26,196 | 539 | |
| Santa Clara University RecommendedCompass Recommended: a Faith score of 80 or higher, at least three of the four pillars rated, and none below C (55). A school with an Academic Excellence score must also reach 80 on its Compass Score.CatholicCatholic college: federal data lists a Roman Catholic affiliation (or it has been verified as Catholic), so it gets the full four-pillar faith scorecard. Santa Clara · Private nonprofit | BFaith: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist. | AAcademics: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist. | $50,062 | 9,340 | |
| Loyola Marymount University RecommendedCompass Recommended: a Faith score of 80 or higher, at least three of the four pillars rated, and none below C (55). A school with an Academic Excellence score must also reach 80 on its Compass Score.CatholicCatholic college: federal data lists a Roman Catholic affiliation (or it has been verified as Catholic), so it gets the full four-pillar faith scorecard. Los Angeles · Private nonprofit | BFaith: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist. | AAcademics: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist. | $48,381 | 10,256 | |
| John Paul the Great Catholic University RecommendedCompass Recommended: a Faith score of 80 or higher, at least three of the four pillars rated, and none below C (55). A school with an Academic Excellence score must also reach 80 on its Compass Score.CatholicCatholic college: federal data lists a Roman Catholic affiliation (or it has been verified as Catholic), so it gets the full four-pillar faith scorecard. Escondido · Private nonprofit | AFaith: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist. | BAcademics: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist. | $34,666 | 298 | |
| University of San Diego RecommendedCompass Recommended: a Faith score of 80 or higher, at least three of the four pillars rated, and none below C (55). A school with an Academic Excellence score must also reach 80 on its Compass Score.CatholicCatholic college: federal data lists a Roman Catholic affiliation (or it has been verified as Catholic), so it gets the full four-pillar faith scorecard. San Diego · Private nonprofit | BFaith: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist. | AAcademics: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist. | $30,365 | 9,110 | |
| Saint Mary's College of California CatholicCatholic college: federal data lists a Roman Catholic affiliation (or it has been verified as Catholic), so it gets the full four-pillar faith scorecard. Moraga · Private nonprofit | BFaith: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist. | BAcademics: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist. | $30,378 | 2,775 | |
| University of San Francisco CatholicCatholic college: federal data lists a Roman Catholic affiliation (or it has been verified as Catholic), so it gets the full four-pillar faith scorecard. San Francisco · Private nonprofit | BFaith: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist. | BAcademics: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist. | $41,431 | 9,212 | |
| Mount Saint Mary's University CatholicCatholic college: federal data lists a Roman Catholic affiliation (or it has been verified as Catholic), so it gets the full four-pillar faith scorecard.All-femaleAll-female: the school enrolls women only. Los Angeles · Private nonprofit | — | N/AFaith: Not enough information. Official sources do not cover enough of this to grade it yet. | CAcademics: Mixed (grade C): 55 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist. | $21,413 | 2,308 |
| Notre Dame de Namur University CatholicCatholic college: federal data lists a Roman Catholic affiliation (or it has been verified as Catholic), so it gets the full four-pillar faith scorecard. Belmont · Private nonprofit | — | N/AFaith: Not enough information. Official sources do not cover enough of this to grade it yet. | N/AAcademics: Not enough information. Official sources do not cover enough of this to grade it yet. | — | 237 |
| Franciscan School of Theology CatholicCatholic college: federal data lists a Roman Catholic affiliation (or it has been verified as Catholic), so it gets the full four-pillar faith scorecard.Seminary / theologySeminary or theology school: listed for the priestly or theological programs it offers. San Diego · Private nonprofit | — | N/AFaith: Not enough information. Official sources do not cover enough of this to grade it yet. | N/AAcademics: Not enough information. Official sources do not cover enough of this to grade it yet. | — | 69 |
| Dominican School of Philosophy & Theology CatholicCatholic college: federal data lists a Roman Catholic affiliation (or it has been verified as Catholic), so it gets the full four-pillar faith scorecard.Graduate onlyGraduate only: offers graduate or professional programs and no undergraduate degrees. Berkeley · Private nonprofit | — | N/AFaith: Not enough information. Official sources do not cover enough of this to grade it yet. | N/AAcademics: Not enough information. Official sources do not cover enough of this to grade it yet. | — | 66 |
| St. John's Seminary CatholicCatholic college: federal data lists a Roman Catholic affiliation (or it has been verified as Catholic), so it gets the full four-pillar faith scorecard.Seminary / theologySeminary or theology school: listed for the priestly or theological programs it offers.All-maleAll-male: the school enrolls men only. Camarillo · Private nonprofit | — | N/AFaith: Not enough information. Official sources do not cover enough of this to grade it yet. | N/AAcademics: Not enough information. Official sources do not cover enough of this to grade it yet. | — | — |
| St. Patrick's Seminary and University CatholicCatholic college: federal data lists a Roman Catholic affiliation (or it has been verified as Catholic), so it gets the full four-pillar faith scorecard.Seminary / theologySeminary or theology school: listed for the priestly or theological programs it offers. Menlo Park · Private nonprofit | — | N/AFaith: Not enough information. Official sources do not cover enough of this to grade it yet. | N/AAcademics: Not enough information. Official sources do not cover enough of this to grade it yet. | — | — |
Other colleges with strong Catholic life in California
Rated on Catholic life on campus, not the full faith scorecard. See all Catholic campus ministries in California.
| School | Compass Score | Faith | Academics | Net price | Students |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Southern California Campus Ministry Honor RollCampus Ministry Honor Roll: a Catholic life score of 85 or higher (grade A) at a college that is not Catholic. Los Angeles · Private nonprofit | AFaith: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist. | AAcademics: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist. | $32,740 | 47,147 | |
| University of California-Berkeley Campus Ministry Honor RollCampus Ministry Honor Roll: a Catholic life score of 85 or higher (grade A) at a college that is not Catholic. Berkeley · Public | AFaith: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist. | AAcademics: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist. | $13,481 | 45,699 | |
| Stanford University Campus Ministry Honor RollCampus Ministry Honor Roll: a Catholic life score of 85 or higher (grade A) at a college that is not Catholic. Stanford · Private nonprofit | AFaith: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist. | AAcademics: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist. | $13,807 | 18,446 | |
| University of California-Riverside Campus Ministry Honor RollCampus Ministry Honor Roll: a Catholic life score of 85 or higher (grade A) at a college that is not Catholic. Riverside · Public | AFaith: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist. | BAcademics: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist. | $14,304 | 26,426 | |
| University of California-Irvine RecommendedCompass Recommended: a Catholic life score of 80 or higher. A college with an Academic Excellence score must also reach 80 on its Compass Score. Irvine · Public | BFaith: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist. | AAcademics: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist. | $14,251 | 36,582 | |
| California State University-Stanislaus Campus Ministry Honor RollCampus Ministry Honor Roll: a Catholic life score of 85 or higher (grade A) at a college that is not Catholic. Turlock · Public | AFaith: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist. | CAcademics: Mixed (grade C): 55 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist. | $6,067 | 9,841 | |
| University of California-Davis RecommendedCompass Recommended: a Catholic life score of 80 or higher. A college with an Academic Excellence score must also reach 80 on its Compass Score. Davis · Public | BFaith: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist. | AAcademics: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist. | $14,741 | 39,707 | |
| University of California-San Diego La Jolla · Public | BFaith: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist. | AAcademics: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist. | $12,470 | 42,376 | |
| University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles · Public | BFaith: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist. | AAcademics: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist. | $12,548 | 46,678 | |
| California State University-Fresno Campus Ministry Honor RollCampus Ministry Honor Roll: a Catholic life score of 85 or higher (grade A) at a college that is not Catholic. Fresno · Public | AFaith: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist. | CAcademics: Mixed (grade C): 55 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist. | $7,000 | 23,986 | |
| University of California-Santa Barbara Santa Barbara · Public | BFaith: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist. | AAcademics: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist. | $16,109 | 26,068 | |
| California State University-Fullerton Campus Ministry Honor RollCampus Ministry Honor Roll: a Catholic life score of 85 or higher (grade A) at a college that is not Catholic. Fullerton · Public | AFaith: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist. | CAcademics: Mixed (grade C): 55 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist. | $6,555 | 41,962 | |
| California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo · Public | BFaith: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist. | BAcademics: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist. | $16,665 | 22,485 | |
| San Francisco State University San Francisco · Public | BFaith: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist. | CAcademics: Mixed (grade C): 55 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist. | $12,278 | 23,908 | |
| California State University-Chico Chico · Public | BFaith: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist. | CAcademics: Mixed (grade C): 55 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist. | $14,480 | 14,523 | |
| San Diego State University San Diego · Public | BFaith: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist. | CAcademics: Mixed (grade C): 55 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist. | $15,364 | 39,241 | |
| California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Arcata · Public | BFaith: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist. | CAcademics: Mixed (grade C): 55 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist. | $13,171 | 6,156 | |
| California State University-Sacramento Sacramento · Public | BFaith: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist. | CAcademics: Mixed (grade C): 55 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist. | $9,338 | 31,172 | |
| Chapman University Orange · Private nonprofit | CFaith: Mixed (grade C): 55 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist. | AAcademics: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist. | $46,555 | 9,961 |
Common questions
How many Catholic colleges are in California?
13 accredited Catholic colleges report a Roman Catholic affiliation to the U.S. Department of Education; 9 enroll undergraduates.
Which Catholic colleges in California are Compass Recommended?
Thomas Aquinas College, Santa Clara University, Loyola Marymount University, John Paul the Great Catholic University, University of San Diego. Recommended means a Faith score of 80 or more with no weak pillar, and a Compass Score of 80 or more where academic data exists (how it works).
Where can Catholic students find Mass at other colleges in California?
21 other colleges in California have a Catholic life rating so far. See Catholic campus ministries in California.
What about Catholic high schools?
California has 102 Catholic high schools. See Catholic high schools in California.
Dioceses
- Archdiocese of Los Angeles · The Most Reverend José H. Gomez
- Archdiocese of San Francisco · The Most Reverend Salvatore J. Cordileone
- Diocese of Fresno · The Most Reverend Joseph V. Brennan
- Diocese of Monterey · The Most Reverend Ramon Bejarano
- Diocese of Oakland · The Most Reverend Michael C. Barber
- Diocese of Sacramento · The Most Reverend Jaime Soto
- Diocese of San Bernardino · The Most Reverend Alberto Rojas
- Diocese of San Diego · The Most Reverend Michael Pham
- Diocese of San Jose · The Most Reverend Oscar Cantú
- Diocese of Santa Rosa · The Most Reverend Robert F. Vasa
- Diocese of Stockton · The Most Reverend Myron J. Cotta
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange · The Most Reverend Kevin W. Vann