Bible & Christian Colleges in California

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There are dozens of bible colleges dotted across the great state of California. From the upper reaches of northern California to the southern tip of the state. California Bible Colleges are higher education institutions with a direct or indirect connection or affiliation with a religious organization. A bible college or Christian college may extend a number of degree programs from a certificate of completion to an Associate of Arts (AA) to a Bachelor of Science (BS) up through graduate degree programs. In addition to degree level, students may choose to earn a degree in a religious field of study or secular area of study. For example, students matriculating the in following will likely continue into a similar field of study or advance into a seminary: marriage and family counseling, theology, youth ministry, and ministry. On the other hand, students looking for a more secular vocation may earn a degree in nursing, economics, medical assisting, business, early childhood education, marketing, information systems, civil engineering, or communications. Although the degree conferred in a secular area of study may seem like a standard degree, the curriculum at a bible college will infuse their curriculum with faith-based classes to help students remain mindful of their mission and values in the workplace.

Top Ranked Bible Colleges in California

As the largest state by population, California is home to a large number of bible colleges. Bible colleges in the State of California have a variety of religious affiliations that include: Roman Catholic, Baptist, Nazarene, Lutheran, Mennonite, Episcopal, Seven Day Adventist, Methodist, Presbyterian, and Protestant. Within each type of affiliation, schools can range from small to large in terms of enrollment and reach. Top ranked bible colleges in California include Pepperdine University, Saint Mary’s, Loyola Marymount, Santa Clara, Epic Bible College, Bethel Seminary, and Pacific Lutheran. For students interested in studying at a bible or Christian college but require a flexible schedule, you may consider enrolling in an online degree program. Many accredited bible colleges in California offer distance learning programs for students. Additionally, national bible colleges offer highly acclaimed online degree programs in bible studies that include Liberty, Ohio Christian, and Grand Canyon.

List of Christian Denominations & Affiliations

The list below organizes all the Christian colleges in California by Christian denomination and further by their religious affiliation. Click the links below to skip to each section.

List of Catholic Colleges in California

The following colleges follow or incorporate Catholic practices and are further grouped by their specific religious affiliation.

Roman Catholic Affiliated Schools

Institution Name	Location	Notes
Notre Dame de Namur University Popular Programs Offered: Business Administration Psychology Special Education	Belmont, CA	Accredited by Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission Since 1955 Around 1,860 Students Enrolled School Website: ndnu.edu
Dominican School of Philosophy & Theology Popular Programs Offered: Theology Philosophy Ministry	Berkeley, CA	Accredited by Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools Since 1978 Around 60 Students Enrolled School Website: dspt.edu
St John's Seminary Popular Programs Offered: Ministry Religious Studies	Camarillo, CA	Accredited by Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission Since 1951 Around 120 Students Enrolled School Website: stjohnsem.edu
John Paul the Great Catholic University Popular Programs Offered: Cinematography And Film Theology Entrepreneurship	Escondido, CA	Accredited by Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission Since 2015 Around 320 Students Enrolled School Website: jpcatholic.com
Loyola Marymount University Popular Programs Offered: Law Communications Advertising and Marketing	Los Angeles, CA	Accredited by Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools Since 2007 Around 9,390 Students Enrolled School Website: lmu.edu
Mount St. Mary's College Popular Programs Offered: Nursing Business Administration Liberal Arts	Los Angeles, CA	Accredited by Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission Since 1952 Around 3,430 Students Enrolled School Website: msmu.edu
Saint Marys College of California Popular Programs Offered: Commerce Business Administration Liberal Arts	Moraga, CA	Accredited by Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission Since 1949 Around 4,030 Students Enrolled School Website: stmarys-ca.edu
Holy Names University Popular Programs Offered: Nursing Family Practice Nurse Urban Education and Leadership	Oakland, CA	Accredited by Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission Since 1949 Around 1,050 Students Enrolled School Website: hnu.edu
Franciscan School of Theology Popular Programs Offered: Ministry Theology	Oceanside, CA	Accredited by Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools Since 1975 Around 50 Students Enrolled School Website: fst.edu
Marymount California University Popular Programs Offered: Business Administration Liberal Arts Psychology	Rancho Palos Verdes, CA	Accredited by Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges Since 1971 Around 1,100 Students Enrolled School Website: marymountcalifornia.edu
University of San Diego Popular Programs Offered: Law Business Administration Paralegal	San Diego, CA	Accredited by Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission Since 1956 Around 8,250 Students Enrolled School Website: sandiego.edu
University of San Francisco Popular Programs Offered: Business Administration Nursing Law	San Francisco, CA	Accredited by Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission Since 1949 Around 10,800 Students Enrolled School Website: usfca.edu
Santa Clara University Popular Programs Offered: Business Administration Law Computer Engineering	Santa Clara, CA	Accredited by Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission Since 1971 Around 8,680 Students Enrolled School Website: scu.edu
Thomas Aquinas College Popular Programs Offered: Liberal Arts	Santa Paula, CA	Accredited by American Academy for Liberal Education Since 2002 Around 380 Students Enrolled School Website: thomasaquinas.edu

List of Protestant Colleges in California

The following schools follow or incorporate Protestant practices and are further detailed by their specific religious affiliation.

American Baptist Affiliated Schools

Institution Name	Location	Notes
American Baptist Seminary of the West Popular Programs Offered: Ministry Theology	Berkeley, CA	Accredited by Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools Since 1938 Around 70 Students Enrolled

Assemblies of God Church Affiliated Schools

Institution Name	Location	Notes
Vanguard University of Southern California Popular Programs Offered: Psychology Business Administration Nursing Administration	Costa Mesa, CA	Accredited by Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission Since 1964 Around 2,180 Students Enrolled School Website: vanguard.edu
SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary Popular Programs Offered: Biblical Studies Ministry	Oakland, CA	Accredited by Association for Biblical Higher Education, Commission on Accreditation Since 2006 Around 590 Students Enrolled School Website: sum.edu
Epic Bible College Popular Programs Offered: Pre-Theology, Pre-Ministerial Studies Applied and Professional Ethics Religious and Sacred Music	Sacramento, CA	Accredited by Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools, Accreditation Commission Since 2004 Around 190 Students Enrolled School Website: epic.edu

Baptist Affiliated Schools

Institution Name	Location	Notes
Southern California Seminary Popular Programs Offered: Biblical Studies Counseling Psychology Ministry	El Cajon, CA	Accredited by Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools, Accreditation Commission Since 2001 Around 240 Students Enrolled School Website: socalsem.edu
Shasta Bible College and Graduate School Popular Programs Offered: Biblical Studies Education Ministry	Redding, CA	Accredited by Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools, Accreditation Commission Since 1997 Around 50 Students Enrolled School Website: shasta.edu
Bethel Seminary San Diego Popular Programs Offered: Ministry Christian Counseling Theology	San Diego, CA	Around 180 Students Enrolled School Website: bethel.edu

Christ and Missionary Alliance Church Affiliated Schools

Institution Name	Location	Notes
Simpson University Popular Programs Offered: Psychology Nursing Organizational Behavior Studies	Redding, CA	Accredited by Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission Since 1969 Around 1,160 Students Enrolled School Website: simpsonu.edu

Church of the Nazarene Affiliated Schools

Institution Name	Location	Notes
Point Loma Nazarene University Popular Programs Offered: Nursing Business Administration Education	San Diego, CA	Accredited by Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission Since 1949 Around 3,660 Students Enrolled School Website: pointloma.edu

Evangelical Lutheran Church Affiliated Schools

Institution Name	Location	Notes
Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary Popular Programs Offered: Ministry Theology	Berkeley, CA	Around 50 Students Enrolled School Website: plts.edu
California Lutheran University Popular Programs Offered: Business Administration Psychology Communications	Thousand Oaks, CA	Accredited by Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools Since 1964 Around 4,130 Students Enrolled School Website: callutheran.edu

Free Will Baptist Church Affiliated Schools

Institution Name	Location	Notes
California Christian College Popular Programs Offered: Urban Education and Leadership General Studies	Fresno, CA	Accredited by Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools, Accreditation Commission Since 1998 Around 20 Students Enrolled School Website: calchristiancollege.edu

Interdenominational Affiliated Schools

Institution Name	Location	Notes
The Master's College and Seminary Popular Programs Offered: Christian Counseling Ministry Business Administration	Santa Clarita, CA	Accredited by Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission Since 1975 Around 1,710 Students Enrolled School Website: masters.edu

Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod Affiliated Schools

Institution Name	Location	Notes
Concordia University - Irvine Popular Programs Offered: Sports Management Curriculum and Instruction Educational Leadership and Administration	Irvine, CA	Accredited by Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission Since 1981 Around 4,510 Students Enrolled School Website: cui.edu

Mennonite Brethren Church Affiliated Schools

Institution Name	Location	Notes
Fresno Pacific University Popular Programs Offered: Liberal Arts Child Development Psychology	Fresno, CA	Accredited by Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission Since 1961 Around 3,340 Students Enrolled School Website: fresno.edu

Multiple Protestant Denomination Affiliated Schools

Institution Name	Location	Notes
Pacific School of Religion Popular Programs Offered: Ministry Theology	Berkeley, CA	Accredited by Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools Since 2015 Around 160 Students Enrolled School Website: psr.edu
Fuller Theological Seminary in California Popular Programs Offered: Missionary Studies Ministry Theology	Pasadena, CA	Accredited by Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools Since 2001 Around 2,530 Students Enrolled School Website: fuller.edu

Other Protestant Affiliated Schools

Institution Name	Location	Notes
William Jessup University Popular Programs Offered: Psychology Business Administration Elementary Education	Rocklin, CA	Accredited by Association for Biblical Higher Education, Commission on Accreditation Since 1969 Around 1,160 Students Enrolled School Website: jessup.edu
Life Pacific College Popular Programs Offered: Christian Counseling Biblical Studies General Studies	San Dimas, CA	Accredited by Association for Biblical Higher Education, Commission on Accreditation Since 1980 Around 610 Students Enrolled School Website: lifepacific.edu
Trinity Law School Popular Programs Offered: Law	Santa Ana, CA	Around 190 Students Enrolled School Website: tls.edu

Presbyterian Church Affiliated Schools

Institution Name	Location	Notes
Popular Programs Offered: Theology	Fullerton, CA	Accredited by Association for Biblical Higher Education, Commission on Accreditation Since 2013 Around 210 Students Enrolled School Website: gm.edu
San Francisco Theological Seminary Popular Programs Offered: Ministry Theology	San Anselmo, CA	Accredited by Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools Since 1993 Around 160 Students Enrolled School Website: sfts.edu

Protestant Episcopal Affiliated Schools

Institution Name	Location	Notes
Church Divinity School of the Pacific Popular Programs Offered: Ministry Theology	Berkeley, CA	Accredited by Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools Since 1945 Around 80 Students Enrolled School Website: cdsp.edu

Seventh Day Adventists Affiliated Schools

Institution Name	Location	Notes
Pacific Union College Popular Programs Offered: Nursing Health and Wellness, General Commerce	Angwin, CA	Accredited by Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission Since 1951 Around 1,560 Students Enrolled School Website: puc.edu
Loma Linda University Popular Programs Offered: Nursing Medicine Physical Therapy	Loma Linda, CA	Accredited by Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission Since 1960 Around 4,490 Students Enrolled School Website: home.llu.edu
La Sierra University Popular Programs Offered: Pre-Nursing Studies Business Administration Biomedical Science	Riverside, CA	Accredited by Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools Since 2016 Around 2,480 Students Enrolled School Website: lasierra.edu

Southern Baptist Affiliated Schools

Institution Name	Location	Notes
California Baptist University Popular Programs Offered: Commerce Nursing Psychology	Riverside, CA	Accredited by Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission Since 1961 Around 8,540 Students Enrolled School Website: calbaptist.edu

Undenominational Affiliated Schools

Institution Name	Location	Notes
Azusa Pacific University Popular Programs Offered: Education Nursing Business Administration	Azusa, CA	Accredited by Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools Since 2007 Around 9,980 Students Enrolled School Website: apu.edu
Biola University Popular Programs Offered: Commerce Psychology Biblical Studies	La Mirada, CA	Accredited by Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission Since 1961 Around 6,230 Students Enrolled School Website: biola.edu
Providence Christian College Popular Programs Offered: Liberal Arts History Business Administration	Pasadena, CA	Accredited by Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission Since 2013 Around 150 Students Enrolled School Website: providencecc.edu
Azusa Pacific Online University Popular Programs Offered: Health Services Management Science	San Dimas, CA	Accredited by Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission Since 2013 Around 1,520 Students Enrolled School Website: apu.edu
San Diego Christian College Popular Programs Offered: Liberal Arts Business Administration Family Studies	Santee, CA	Accredited by Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools, Accreditation Commission Since 1982 Around 920 Students Enrolled School Website: sdcc.edu

United Methodist Affiliated Schools

Institution Name	Location	Notes
Claremont School of Theology Popular Programs Offered: Ministry Religious Studies Philosophy and Religious Studies, General	Claremont, CA	Accredited by Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools Since 1944 Around 290 Students Enrolled School Website: cst.edu

List of Restoration Colleges in California

The following colleges follow or incorporate Restoration practices and are further grouped by their specific religious affiliation.

Christian Church (Disciples Of Christ) Affiliated Schools

Institution Name	Location	Notes
Chapman University Popular Programs Offered: Business Administration Cinematography And Film Law	Orange, CA	Accredited by Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission Since 1956 Around 8,310 Students Enrolled School Website: chapman.edu

Christian Churches and Churches of Christ Affiliated Schools

Institution Name	Location	Notes
Hope International University Popular Programs Offered: Counseling Psychology Business Administration Liberal Arts	Fullerton, CA	Accredited by Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission Since 1969 Around 1,300 Students Enrolled School Website: hiu.edu

Churches of Christ Affiliated Schools

Institution Name	Location	Notes
Pepperdine University Popular Programs Offered: Business Administration Law Clinical Psychology	Malibu, CA	Accredited by Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission Since 1949 Around 7,630 Students Enrolled School Website: pepperdine.edu

The tuition information displayed is an estimate, which we calculated based on historical data and should be solely used for informational purposes only. Please contact the respective school for information about the current school year.

Source: IPEDS Survey 2012-2015: Data obtained from the US Dept. of Education's Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Data may vary depending on school and academic year.