Choosing the right college to live and strengthen one’s faith throughout the higher education experience is an important factor for many Christian students. We’re making this aspect of the college search easier by curating lists of amazing Christian schools that could be a great match for students like you. All the colleges and universities on this list are church-affiliated Christian institutions in the Western United States. You can click the green “Connect me” button below each school to have your CollegeXpress profile information sent directly to them—then they’ll reach out to you. It’s really that simple to start your college search on the right foot!
Azusa Pacific University
Azusa Pacific University is a private, non-denominational religious university in Azusa, California—only 25 minutes east of Los Angeles. With 4,400 undergraduate students and 100% of students receiving financial aid, Azusa offers over 60 undergraduate programs for students to choose from. The University also boasts five unique chapel experiences, more than 50 ministry and service opportunities, and a student body that comes from all 50 states and 63 countries.
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California Baptist University
California Baptist University is a private church-affiliated liberal arts university in Riverside, California—60 miles east of Los Angeles. With more than 10,000 students and a 14:1 student-faculty ratio, the University offers over 150 undergraduate majors and minors for students to choose from. CBU also offers opportunities like the First-Year Experience to welcome new students to University life; weekly chapel meetings to keep you connected to your faith; and mock job interviews and job fairs for an easy college-to-career transition.
Colorado Christian University
Colorado Christian University is a religiously oriented university in Lakewood, Colorado—only 10 miles from Denver. With over 7,500 students and a 13:1 student-faculty ratio, CCU offers students over 50 majors, minors, and emphases to choose from. The University also encourages students to complete over 180 ministry hours and engage in first-year discipleship groups, twice weekly chapel, and student-led mission trips.
Concordia University Irvine
Concordia University Irvine is a Lutheran faith university in Irvine, California—50 miles south of Los Angeles. With nearly 4,000 students and a 16:1 student-faculty ratio, CUI offers 30 undergraduate degrees, concentrated in 27 majors across 17 broad fields of study. As a member of the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities, the University also offers opportunities like chapel four days a week, the SHOUT! Worship experience, Bible studies, mission trips, the Witness outreach program, and more.
Fresno Pacific University
Fresno Pacific University is a church-affiliated liberal arts university in Fresno, California. With 1,100 traditional undergraduate students and a 13:1 student-faculty ratio, the University has 39 major and 33 minor programs, including Biblical & Theological Studies and Contemporary Christian Ministries. Affiliated with the Mennonite Brethren, FPU offers students access to faith-based opportunities like ministry teams, Bible study, worship services, talk series focused on current issues, music ensembles, and much more.
Pepperdine University
Pepperdine University is a private church-affiliated arts and sciences university in Malibu, California—only 12 miles from Santa Monica. With 3,400 undergraduate students and a 13:1 student-faculty ratio, students can choose from 45 majors and 40 minors. Pepperdine offers Christian students general education religion courses, a Convocation Series, an on-campus University Church of Christ, a campus ministry program, student-led spiritual programs, prayer and unity gatherings, service projects, mission trips, and more.
Vanguard University of Southern California
Vanguard University of Southern California is a church-affiliated liberal arts university in Costa Mesa, California—45 miles east of Los Angeles. With 1,700 undergraduate students and a student-faculty ratio of 15:1, students can choose from 23 majors, some with concentration options, and eight minors. With more than 24 denominations represented on campus, students have access to global mission trips, regular chapel meetings, and more than 20 student-led worship teams and ministry opportunities.
Westmont College
Westmont College is a non-denominational Christian liberal arts college in Santa Barbara, California. With 1,325 students and an 11:1 student-faculty ratio, students can choose from 30 undergraduate majors, 13 pre-professional programs, and 10 distinct minors, with the possibility to minor in most major offerings. Westmont offers Christian students opportunities for regular on-campus chapel, student-led ministries, mission trips, and participation in the Urban Initiative—a program to raise awareness of urban issues and make a difference.
Whitworth University
Whitworth University is a private Presbyterian liberal arts university in Spokane, Washington. Whitworth offers more than 100 majors and programs to a student body of more than 2,700 who learn in classes with an 11:1 student-faculty ratio. The University offers students numerous opportunities to explore their faith such as weekly open campus worship, weekly student-led worship services, Catholic Fellowship, En Christo urban ministry, Young Life Leadership, Emmaus Scholars intentional Christian community, and more.
Want to learn about even more faith-based colleges in other areas of the US? Check out this list of Great Christian Colleges and Universities in the Midwest.
