CLT Colleges in

California

Biola University, founded in 1908 as the Bible Institute of Los Angeles, is a nationally ranked Christian university in La Mirada, California. It offers biblically centered education with over 150 academic programs across eight schools, including the Crowell School of Business and Talbot School of Theology. All students take 30 Bible units, and the faculty, staff, and students are professing Christians. Biola is an NCAA Division II member, competing as the Eagles. It’s known for conservative theology, academic excellence, and spiritual development. With over 6,000 students, Biola integrates faith and learning, preparing graduates to impact the world for Christ.

California Baptist University (CBU) in Riverside, founded in 1950, is a private Baptist Christian university affiliated with the California Southern Baptist Convention. With programs ranging from associate's to doctoral degrees, CBU provides a Christ-centered education that merges academics, spirituality, and social development. CBU stresses community involvement and spiritual growth on its 162-acre campus. CBU became a university in 1998 after being recognized for academic achievement, a diverse student body, and a successful NCAA Division I athletic program. The Events Center and Troesh Engineering Building are two notable campus additions. CBU, which is WASC accredited, is dedicated to its Christian mission.

Hildegard College, located in Costa Mesa, CA, is a unique blend of a business incubator and a classical honors college. It offers a single, rigorous Bachelor's degree in Liberal Arts and Entrepreneurship, replacing traditional lectures and tests with Socratic discussions, real-world projects, and hands-on mentorship. Rooted in Christian tradition, the college emphasizes wisdom, leadership, and cultural impact. With accessible tuition and financial aid options, students engage in the Great Works curriculum and an Entrepreneurship Incubation Lab. High schoolers and adult learners can also participate in seminars and certificates. Hildegardians form a tight-knit, pioneering community dedicated to transformative learning and innovation.

John Paul the Great Catholic University (JPCatholic) is a private Roman Catholic university in Escondido, California, offering professionally focused, three-year degree programs in Film, Animation, Acting, Illustration, Creative Entrepreneurship, and more. Founded in 2003 as "New Catholic University," it was renamed in 2005 to honor Pope John Paul II. The university operates on a year-round quarter system, combining hands-on industry experience with a Catholic liberal arts education. Located near San Diego and two hours from Hollywood, JPCatholic provides students with strategic access to the entertainment industry. It is ranked #10 in "Regional Colleges West" and #3 in "Best Value" by *U.S. News & World Report* (2025). The university emphasizes faith-driven creative collaboration and entrepreneurship through initiatives like the Feature Film Program and Business LaunchPad.

The Master’s University (TMU), founded in 1927, is committed to academic excellence and a biblical worldview. Ranked #1 nationwide for “Character Development” by the *Wall Street Journal* (2025) and in the top 10 for “Career Preparation,” TMU fosters wisdom, convictions, and leadership. With 2,700 students on a 100+ acre campus, including The Master’s Seminary and an Israel campus, TMU has grown from 24 students with no campus to a thriving institution. Faculty and staff instill professional excellence while upholding Scripture’s authority. TMU's extensive alumni and church network reflect its nearly century-long mission to honor God through education and leadership.

Providence Christian College, founded in 2002 in Pasadena, California, is a Reformed Christian liberal arts institution emphasizing biblical truth and classical education. Originally planned in the 1960s, it was formally established in 2002 and moved to Pasadena in 2010. The college offers a single bachelor's degree in Liberal Studies and operates in historic Witherspoon Hall. Accredited by WASC, it holds to Presbyterian and Reformed confessions. Its athletics teams, the Sea Beggars, compete in the NAIA's California Pacific Conference. Providence promotes virtue, liberty, and intellectual tradition while preparing students for service to humanity and engagement in church and society.

Saint Mary's College of California, founded in 1863 as a diocesan boys' college, became a coeducational institution under the De La Salle Christian Brothers. It began in Oakland before relocating to Moraga in 1928. Historically all-male until 1970, it now houses roughly two dozen Christian Brothers, with non-Christian Brother President James A. Donahue taking office in 2013. Academically, it consists of four schools, with a focus on liberal arts and Business Administration as the primary major. Moraga's attractive campus features a variety of architectural styles. Student housing options range from first-year community-style accommodation to upperclassmen suites and townhouses. Living Learning Communities are promoted on campus, creating thematic residential interaction. Athletic facilities, community service opportunities, and cultural centers all improve the student experience.

San Diego Christian College (SDCC) is a private, Christian liberal arts college in Santee, California, founded in 1970. It offers certificates, associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees in both on-campus and online formats. Accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASCUC), SDCC is affiliated with the CCCU, AICCU, and NAICU. The college has a student-to-faculty ratio of 12:1 and emphasizes a biblical worldview in education. SDCC previously competed in the NAIA as the Hawks before transitioning away from intercollegiate athletics.

Saint Mary's College of California, founded in 1863 and located in Moraga, is a private Catholic institution administered by the De La Salle Brothers. It offers undergraduate and graduate programs across four schools, emphasizing a liberal arts education. The college is known for its Lasallian tradition, strong academics, and research funding from institutions like the NSF and NEH. Saint Mary’s competes in NCAA Division I athletics, with a successful men's basketball team. It also offers club sports, including championship-winning rugby. With a student-faculty ratio of 13:1, the college provides a Collegiate Seminar and Integral Program, focusing on discussion-based learning inspired by the Great Books curriculum.

Thomas Aquinas College, founded in 1971, is a private, coeducational Catholic institution offering a Great Books-based Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts. With campuses in California (845 acres) and New England (110 acres), it enrolls 566 students from 42 states and multiple countries. It has a 1:11 faculty-student ratio and a 92% freshman retention rate. Accredited by WASC, the college emphasizes faith-based education and academic excellence, earning top rankings from Kiplinger’s, Princeton Review, and U.S. News & World Report. Nearly 40% of alumni pursue graduate studies, with 10% entering religious life. The college remains committed to its founding mission of Catholic liberal education.

Thrive College is a 9-month discipleship program at Bayside Church in Roseville, CA, designed for 18-25-year-olds seeking vocational or secular ministry preparation. Students engage in a 20-hour internship and take accredited college courses to earn their degree. Tuition ranges from $10,000 to $14,100, covering housing for out-of-town students. Located near Sacramento, Thrive offers mentorship and faith-based community support during a critical life stage. The program emphasizes spiritual growth, leadership development, and hands-on ministry experience, providing an alternative to traditional college paths while fostering deep connections within the Church.

Westmont College, a Christian liberal arts college in Santa Barbara, emphasizes developing intelligent scholars, grateful servants, and loyal leaders. The college mixes disciplines, values deep knowledge, and spiritual growth, and has a student-to-faculty ratio that encourages individualized attention. Offering 31 majors, it encourages students to think for themselves while also living for others. The devotion to faith is obvious in the weekly chapel services. Education is made more affordable by financial help and generous scholarships. The Westmont Warriors excel in athletics, winning championships, and the student experience is enhanced with study abroad possibilities and a scenic location. The college places an importance on diversity, fairness, and adherence to the traditional Christian religion.

Zaytuna College, the first accredited Muslim undergraduate college in the U.S., is a private liberal arts institution in Berkeley, California. Established in 2009 from the Zaytuna Institute (founded in 1996 by Hamza Yusuf and Hesham Alalusi), it integrates Islamic education with the American liberal arts tradition. Offering a BA in Liberal Arts & Islamic Studies and an MA in Islamic Texts, its curriculum blends classical Muslim and Great Books traditions. Zaytuna emphasizes Arabic proficiency, theology, philosophy, and law. Accredited by WASC, it fosters morally committed leaders grounded in Islamic scholarship and engaged with contemporary culture, reviving the denominational liberal arts college model with a Muslim ethos.