Young Black priest sitting in pew with young White woman, featured schools logo

Great Christian Colleges and Universities in the West

Find the best college fit for your faith and your interests by checking out this list of amazing Christian colleges and universities in the Western US.

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!

California Baptist University

California Baptist UniversityCalifornia 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.

Connect me with CBU!

Concordia University Irvine

Concordia University TexasConcordia 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.

Connect me with CUI! 

Pepperdine University

Pepperdine University logoPepperdine 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. 

Connect me with Pepperdine!

Seattle Pacific University

Seattle Pacific University logoSeattle Pacific University is a private church-affiliated university in downtown Seattle, Washington. With a total enrollment of 2,600+ students and an 11:1 student-faculty ratio,  SPU offers 56 undergraduate majors, 61 minors, 17 master’s programs, and five doctorate programs. Students can also take advantage of opportunities like University ministries, the Center for Worship, and the John Perkins Center for Reconciliation, Leadership Training, and Community Development.

Connect me with SPU!

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.

Like what you’re reading?

Join the CollegeXpress community! Create a free account and we’ll notify you about new articles, scholarship deadlines, and more.

Join Now

About CollegeXpress

CollegeXpress

Welcome to CollegeXpress, your one-stop college shop! We’re a free college planning website used by millions of college-bound students, parents, and counselors—anyone who needs help navigating the college search and application process, financial aid opportunities, and more. 

You’ll find comprehensive College Search and Scholarship Search tools, tons of articles and expert advice, unique college Lists & Rankings, and lots of other resources to help make your life easier. Teen Vogue even named us one of the 7 Best College Search Websites!

Current college students and recent grads also love CollegeXpress for our Graduate Program Search tool and endless information on student life, internships, and beyond. We really have something for everyone, no matter where you are in your college journey.

Create a free CollegeXpress account to start connecting with colleges, winning scholarships, and simplifying your life as a student!

 

Join our community of
over 5 million students!

CollegeXpress has everything you need to simplify your college search, get connected to schools, and find your perfect fit.

Join CollegeXpress

College Quick Connect

Swipe right to request information.
Swipe left if you're not interested.

Pepperdine University

Malibu, CA


Yuhlani Patterson

Yuhlani Patterson

High School Student

CollegeXpress has helped me find so many scholarships that fit me. They match me to colleges I have specific interest in to make searching for colleges way easier and more efficient. CollegeXpress refers me to schools that have my major of interest and backup schools if I want to change my mind. CollegeXpress also gives out their own scholarships, so you have even more of a chance at gaining multiple scholarships. This website has helped me de-stress from the pressure of not being able to afford college, [of finding] what schools are right for me, and how to find easy access to scholarships that most people never knew existed.

Aaliyah

Aaliyah

High School Class of 2022

My mother signed me up for a couple of scholarship contests through CollegeXpress. I was also able to do some research and compare the different schools on my list. I was able to see the graduation rates and different programs that helped me decide on Adelphi University. I will continue looking for some scholarships for my start in September.

Maria  Fernanda

Maria Fernanda

High School Class of 2023

CollegeXpress is always telling you with time to spare when to apply for certain scholarships, what they require, and if you’re eligible or not. They also provide helpful tips for both incoming college students and current college students, such as what to absolutely have in your dorm.

Rayan Hamdan

Rayan Hamdan

High School Student

I joined CollegeXpress just a few months ago. I had been struggling with severe anxiety, causing me to not be able to tour schools and make sure a college would be perfect for me. I came across CollegeXpress one day when I was searching for colleges online, and it completely changed the game. I was easily able to choose colleges that would suit me, and I also entered a few giveaways! Thank you so much!

Sonny Harris

Sonny Harris

College Student

For the entire year before college, I spent a lot of time deeply considering what major I wanted to go into and how to fund my higher education. After a lot of research, I came across CollegeXpress, which helped me ultimately find a ton of scholarships for which I could apply—and some of which I received! If it weren’t for CollegeXpress, I may not have found those scholarships as they didn't appear on any other scholarship search forum. Additionally, I learned more about the options I had been considering for my major through CollegeXpress’s resources. In the end, I chose to major in Computer Science, as it seemed best suited to me and the careers in the field seemed enjoyable, and I've never been more excited to move into my future! Ultimately, I want to thank CollegeXpress for offering their services. I received enough financial aid in scholarships to fund my entire freshman year of college and even got some money refunded which I used to purchase a new laptop, and I bought all of the books I needed for the semester!