2026 Best Theology & Religious Vocations Schools in California
Theology & Religious Vocations degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 48 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for theology & religious vocations students pursuing a degree.
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Best Schools for Theology & Religious Vocations in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall theology & religious vocations education in California.
Top Schools in Theology & Religious Vocations
Santa Clara University tops our 2026 ranking of the best theology & religious vocations schools. Located in the city of Santa Clara, Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 88% of students finish within six years. Santa Clara University awarded about 54 theology & religious vocations degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theology & religious vocations degree from Santa Clara University earn around $79,380 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,144.
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Loyola Marymount University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best theology & religious vocations schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Loyola Marymount University graduates 79% of students within six years. About 22 theology & religious vocations degrees were awarded at Loyola Marymount University in the most recent year. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Loyola Marymount University earn a median of $52,935 early in their careers. Loyola Marymount University graduates carry a median of $22,248 in student loans.
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California Baptist University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best theology & religious vocations schools. Located in the city of Riverside, California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 62% of students finish within six years. California Baptist University awarded about 41 theology & religious vocations degrees in the most recent data year. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of California Baptist University earn a median of $51,999 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $28,169 to complete this degree.
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The Masters College And Seminary is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in theology & religious vocations, ranking #4. The Masters College And Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. About 67% of students finish within six years. The Masters College And Seminary awarded about 235 theology & religious vocations degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the theology & religious vocations program make about $50,354 in their early career. The Masters College And Seminary graduates carry a median of $23,774 in student loans.
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A rank of #5 makes Fresno Pacific University one of the top schools for theology & religious vocations. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 50% of students finish within six years. About 22 theology & religious vocations degrees were awarded at Fresno Pacific University in the most recent year. Students who receive their theology & religious vocations degree from Fresno Pacific University earn around $60,890 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,596.
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Vanguard University Of Southern California earned the #6 position for theology & religious vocations this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Costa Mesa. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 34 theology & religious vocations degrees were awarded at Vanguard University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Vanguard University Of Southern California generally make around $80,727. Typical student debt for the program is $21,111.
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Concordia University Irvine placed #7 among the best theology & religious vocations schools. Located in the city of Irvine, Concordia University Irvine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 58% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 25 theology & religious vocations students who graduated with this degree at Concordia University Irvine in the most recent data year. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Concordia University Irvine earn a median of $58,590 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,085 to complete this degree.
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Biola University earned the #8 position for theology & religious vocations this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of La Mirada. Biola University graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 199 theology & religious vocations students who graduated with this degree at Biola University in the most recent data year. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Biola University earn a median of $42,539 early in their careers. Biola University graduates carry a median of $26,227 in student loans.
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Fuller Theological Seminary In California placed #9 among the best theology & religious vocations schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Pasadena. Fuller Theological Seminary In California awarded about 350 theology & religious vocations degrees in the most recent data year. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Fuller Theological Seminary In California earn a median of $60,615 early in their careers.
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Life Pacific College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best theology & religious vocations schools. Set in the suburb of San Dimas, Life Pacific College is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 38% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 73 theology & religious vocations students who graduated with this degree at Life Pacific College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their theology & religious vocations degree from Life Pacific College earn around $37,753 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,141 to complete this degree.
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Azusa Pacific University placed #11 among the best theology & religious vocations schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Azusa. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. There were roughly 55 theology & religious vocations students who graduated with this degree at Azusa Pacific University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Azusa Pacific University generally make around $58,302. Typical student debt for the program is $24,454.
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Sum Bible College And Theological Seminary placed #12 among the best theology & religious vocations schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of El Dorado Hills. Roughly 14% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 124 theology & religious vocations degrees were awarded at Sum Bible College And Theological Seminary in the most recent year. Theology & Religious Vocations graduates of Sum Bible College And Theological Seminary earn a median of $26,407 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $29,299.
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Hope International University landed the #13 spot for theology & religious vocations this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, Hope International University is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. About 23 theology & religious vocations degrees were awarded at Hope International University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, theology & religious vocations degree recipients from Hope International University generally make around $50,661. Typical student debt for the program is $18,054.
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World Mission University placed #14 among the best theology & religious vocations schools. World Mission University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 100%. There were roughly 68 theology & religious vocations students who graduated with this degree at World Mission University in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in theology & religious vocations from World Mission University
More Theology & Religious Vocations Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 48 schools evaluated.
- 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.
