2026 Best Value Christian Studies Schools in California
[Christian Studies](/majors/philosophy-and-religious-studies/religious-studies/christian-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 6 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for christian studies students.
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2026 Best Value Christian Studies Schools in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in christian studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Christian Studies Schools
For return on investment in christian studies, no school beat California Baptist University this year. Located in the city of Riverside, California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $41,228. Students borrow a median of $24,474 to complete the christian studies program here. Christian Studies graduates of California Baptist University earn a median of $29,582 early in their careers. Set against $24,474 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California Baptist University admits about 85% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Santa Clara University earned it the #2 place for christian studies. Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Santa Clara. Students from in state pay about $61,293 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for christian studies graduates is $20,144. Early-career christian studies graduates make about $79,380. That is a strong return on a $20,144 median debt. Santa Clara University admits about 48% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
