Best colleges for Bible/Biblical Studies in California
Ranked by graduate earnings
William Jessup University, Biola University and Azusa Pacific University award the most Bible/Biblical Studies degrees and certificates in California: 34, 30 and 24 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 18 California colleges offer Bible/Biblical Studies and award 191 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Bible/Biblical Studies program focuses on the academic exploration of the Bible through various disciplines, including history, theology, and literary criticism. This program is designed for students interested in deepening their…
Top 2 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Biola University La Mirada Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $37,518 | 30 | 68% | $26,727 | $27,000 |
| 2 | SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary El Dorado Hills Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Online Small program | $26,407 | 4 | 85% | $21,043 | $29,299 |
Colleges awarding the most Bible/Biblical Studies degrees in California
Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | William Jessup University Rocklin Private not-for-profit | 34 | Not reported |
| 2 | Biola University La Mirada Private not-for-profit | 30 | $37,518 |
| 3 | Azusa Pacific University Azusa Private not-for-profit | 24 | Not reported |
| 4 | The Master's University and Seminary Santa Clarita Private not-for-profit | 18 | Not reported |
| 5 | Southern California Seminary El Cajon Private not-for-profit | 16 | Not reported |
| 6 | California Baptist University Riverside Private not-for-profit | 13 | Not reported |
| 7 | Life Pacific University San Dimas Private not-for-profit | 10 | Not reported |
| 8 | Latin American Bible Institute La Puente Private not-for-profit | 6 | Not reported |
| 9 | Shasta Bible College and Graduate School Redding Private not-for-profit | 3 | Not reported |
| 10 | Fresno Pacific University Fresno Private not-for-profit | 2 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 8 California colleges offering Bible/Biblical Studies
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Epic Bible College & Graduate School | Sacramento | Private not-for-profit | 7 |
| Westminster Theological Seminary in California (Graduate only) | Escondido | Private not-for-profit | 7 |
| World Mission University (Online) | Los Angeles | Private not-for-profit | 7 |
| Bethesda University | Anaheim | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary (Online) | El Dorado Hills | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| Simpson University | Redding | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Vanguard University of Southern California | Costa Mesa | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| California Prestige University | Santa Fe Springs | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Directors, Religious Activities and Education (SOC 21-2021).
Top skills
What Directors, Religious Activities and Education earn in California
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Bible/Biblical Studies programs in California.
Which California colleges award the most Bible/Biblical Studies degrees?+
William Jessup University (34 graduates a year), Biola University (30 graduates a year) and Azusa Pacific University (24 graduates a year) award the most Bible/Biblical Studies degrees and certificates in California, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 18 California colleges offer Bible/Biblical Studies.
Which Bible/Biblical Studies program in California has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Biola University tops the list at $37,518. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Directors, Religious Activities and Education earn in California?+
The average annual wage for Directors, Religious Activities and Education in California is $70,150 (median $61,570), across about 3,200 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Bible/Biblical Studies program?+
The Bible/Biblical Studies program focuses on the academic exploration of the Bible through various disciplines, including history, theology, and literary criticism. This program is designed for students interested in deepening their…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop speaking, active listening, active learning, reading comprehension, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Directors, Religious Activities and Education?+
The national job outlook is about +2.1% growth with around 13,800 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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