Determining which are the best Catholic colleges in California is not an exact science. There is no such thing as a completely objective college ranking. Different people will have different ways of defining “best” and even “Catholic” for that matter. Ultimately what matters most is which Catholic college in California makes the most sense for you or your child. And that will be determined in large part by issues of theological approach, allegiance to particular orders, personal preference, etc. that no third-party ranking is going to help with. Nevertheless, a ranking of the top Catholic universities in California can provide a helpful starting point for sorting through the large number of Catholic college options available in the Golden State.
How We Ranked the Best Catholic Colleges in California
For our 2014 ranking of the Best Catholic Colleges in California we considered all of the regionally accredited colleges in California that publicly identify as Catholic schools (we’ve published a separate ranking of the best Protestant Christian Colleges in California) and see their Catholic identity as central to their educational mission. From there we considered each school’s academic reputation (other independent rankings, recognitions, awards), campus intimacy (small class sizes), selectivity (admissions rate), and student satisfaction (as indicated by percentage of students who stay at the school and graduate) and narrowed it down to the following top 10 list of Catholic colleges in California.
Note: Along with each school’s listing you will find some basic information about the school’s location, history, alumni, etc., as well as data on student-faculty ratio, admissions rate, graduation rate, and tuition. All data was taken from the National Center for Education Statistics database. More information about each college can be found by clicking on the school’s name, which will take you to an in-depth profile of the school with contact and admissions information.
#1. Santa Clara University
Santa Clara University was founded in 1851 as Santa Clara College by the Jesuits and is the oldest college in California. Today, the Jesuit university serves both Catholic and non-Catholic students and is still located on its original campus surrounding the Santa Clara Mission in Santa Clara, CA. The university offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in a variety of fields. US News and World Report ranks Santa Clara University as the 2nd best master’s level college in the west and gave the college high marks for economic value. Forbes and the Princeton Review have also recognized the academic excellence of the school. Santa Clara University is the alma mater of a number of notables including former Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta and gold medalist Brandi Chastain.
Tuition: $42,156
Student/faculty ratio: 12:1
Acceptance rate: 51%
Graduation rate: 86%
#2. Thomas Aquinas College
Thomas Aquinas College was founded in Calabasas, Calif., in 1971. The college campus was moved to Santa Paula, Calif., in 1978. This Roman Catholic college is known for its fidelity to the Magisterium of the Church, its Great Books program and seminar method of teaching. Students study the original works by people who have influenced Western civilization such as St. Thomas Aquinas, Aristotle, Shakespeare and Homer. These works are then discussed in small classes conducted in the seminar method. Alumni include Catholic ethicist Dr. Pia de Solenni and the Very Rev. John Berg. Thomas Aquinas College was recently named as one of the top 40 “Best Value Colleges” by U.S. News & World Report.
Tuition: $24,500
Student/faculty ratio: 11:1
Acceptance rate: 79%
Graduation rate: 76%
#3. University of San Diego
With undergraduate offerings from seven different colleges, the University of San Diego provides students with a diverse array of academic opportunities. USD, which was founded in 1949, is affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church, but the school is open to students of all religious backgrounds. The university’s campus is just a short drive from the city of San Diego. Students enjoy the school’s picturesque setting near the Pacific, leading the Princeton Review to name it as the 7th most beautiful campus in the country. It has also been ranked 91st among national universities by US News & World Report. Notable alumni include professional soccer player Stephanie Ochs, actor Jim Parsons, and Chris Grant, a former general manager of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Tuition: $41,392
Student/faculty ratio: 15:1
Acceptance rate: 49%
Graduation rate: 76%
#4. Loyola Marymount University
Since its founding in Los Angeles in 1911, Loyola Marymount University has grown to become the largest Catholic university on the West Coast, currently enrolling over 9,000 students in seven different schools. Throughout its 100-year history, LMU has stayed true to its Catholic heritage, guided by the intellectual and spiritual traditions of the Jesuits and Marymount Sisters. LMU pursues a threefold mission: encouraging learning, educating the whole person, and serving faith and promoting justice. This mission is reflected in the core curriculum, required of all undergraduates, and the low 11:1 student-faculty ratio and small class sizes. LMU is ranked 3rd by U.S. News and World Report for Regional Universities (West). Notable alumni include Brian Helgeland, screenwriter for Mystic River and L.A. Confidential, and Johnnie Cochran, the lawyer who defended O.J. Simpson.
Tuition: $40,265
Student/faculty ratio: 11:1
Acceptance rate: 54%
Graduation rate: 75%
#5. Saint Mary’s College of California
Saint Mary’s College of California is a small, Catholic liberal arts college situated on 420 acres in the Moraga hills west of San Francisco. Founded in 1863, it is one of the oldest schools in the western United States. In addition to a standard liberal arts curriculum, all Saint Mary’s students are required to take four Great Books seminars encompassing some of the most important works of literature and philosophy in the Western canon. Saint Mary’s College of California has been ranked among the top 20 colleges in the West by US News and the top 20 master’s level universities overall by Forbes.
Tuition: $39,890
Student/faculty ratio: 13:1
Acceptance rate: 69%
Graduation rate: 62%
#6. University of San Francisco
Established in 1855, the University of San Francisco is one of the oldest institutions of higher learning in California. The school was founded by a group of Jesuit priests, and its Jesuit mission remains an important part of all academic programs. Through service-learning and research programs, students have ample opportunities to participate in the surrounding community. The campus itself is nestled in the hills of San Francisco, not far from the Golden Gate Bridge and Golden Gate Park. Famous alumni include co-founder of Starbucks Gordon Bowker, Peruvian president Alejandro Toledo, and Charles Fracchia, founder of Rolling stone magazine. US News & World Report has ranked the school 117th in the nation, while Forbes has rated it as the 37th best university in the West.
Tuition: $40,294
Student/faculty ratio: 15:1
Acceptance rate: 61%
Graduation rate: 67%
#7. Holy Names University
Founded in 1868, Holy Names University sits on 60 wooded acres in Oakland, CA and is firmly rooted in the Catholic intellectual tradition. Originally started as a women’s college by the Sister’s of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, the university has been fully coed since 1971. HNU offers a range of progressive, relevant majors to its diverse student body. Distinguished alumni include Baroness Lydia Dunn, member of the House of Lords in the U.K. and Carol A. Corrigan, Associate Justice of the California Supreme Court. U.S. News and World Reports rates HNU a “best value” among universities that do not offer doctorate programs in the western United States and in the top 100 overall among regional universities in the West.
Tuition: $33,020
Student/faculty ratio: 10:1
Acceptance rate: 57%
Graduation rate: 39%
#8. Mount St Mary’s College
Mount St. Mary’s College in Los Angeles, CA was founded in 1925 by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. Rooted in the Catholic intellectual tradition, MSMC accepts students of all faiths. The original campus in Brentwood offers spectacular views and has been featured in numerous television shows and movies. A second campus near downtown Los Angeles opened in 1962. Primarily a women’s college, weekend courses and graduate programs are coed. The college recently partnered with Academy Award winning actress Geena Davis to highlight the portrayal of women in media. About 50% of the freshman are the first in their families to attend college and MSMC is ranked in the top 20 regional universities in the West by U.S. World News and Reports.
Tuition: $33,852
Student/faculty ratio: 13:1
Acceptance rate: 74%
Graduation rate: 57%
#9. Notre Dame de Namur University
Founded as the College of Notre Dame in 1851, Notre Dame de Namur University has been providing top-tier academic instruction and Catholic education for over 160 years. Located in the San Francisco area, Notre Dame de Namur encourages students to participate in the local community, engage in service projects and embrace social justice as a part of their wider Catholic curriculum. Notre Dame de Namur University is the fifth oldest collegiate institution in the state of California. It was also the first university to grant degrees to women. In 1969, Notre Dame de Namur opened its degrees to male applicants, making the university the thriving and co-educational place that it is known for today. According to US News and World Report, Notre Dame de Namur ranks 58th in the list of colleges in the western United States.
Tuition: $31,126
Student/faculty ratio: 12:1
Acceptance rate: 87%
Graduation rate: 47%
#10. John Paul the Great Catholic University
One of the newest Catholic universities in California, John Paul the Great Catholic University in Escondido, CA was founded in 2003 as New Catholic University, later renamed in honor of the late Pope John Paul after his death in 2005. Known for living into a strong sense of Roman Catholic identity, JPGCU currently offers bachelors degrees focused on business, technology, and media, as well as graduate programs in business and theology. The university operates on a quarterly schedule and is known for being open to accepting students who have been home schooled.
Tuition: $24,900
Student/faculty ratio: 13:1
Acceptance rate: 88%
Graduation rate: 63%
