91̽��

Enrollment Statistics

General Rankings

91̽�� excels in character development, alumni satisfaction, and career preparation, consistently earning top national and California rankings. Notable achievements include small class sizes, alumni giving, and student retention within its peer group.

• Retention Rate: #1 for first-time freshmen retention (CollegeResults, 2017).
• Student-Teacher Ratio: #4 Best Student-Teacher Ratio (U.S. News, 2017).

National Rankings

• Character Development: #1 Nationwide (Wall Street Journal, 2025).
• Alumni Recommendation:
  • #2 Nationwide, “Most Highly Recommended by Alumni” (Wall Street Journal, 2023).
  • #4 Nationwide (Wall Street Journal, 2025).
• Career Preparation:
  • #6 Nationwide (WSJ/College Pulse, 2024 Best Colleges).
  • #9 Nationwide (Wall Street Journal, 2025).
• Inspirational Schools: Top 2 Nationwide (Wall Street Journal, 2017).
• Right Choice University: #1 Nationwide (Wall Street Journal, 2017, 2018).
• Religious Studies:
  • Top 1% Best Christian Colleges for Religious Studies in America (#6 of 440, Niche, 2023).
  • Top 10% Best Colleges for Religious Studies in America (#31 of 392, Niche, 2023).
• Veterans:
  • #20 Best Schools for Veterans (U.S. News, 2017).
  • #24 Best Schools for Veterans (U.S. News, 2022).
• Liberal Arts: Top 50 Best Liberal Arts Schools (#24, Learn.org, 2020).
• GPA: #20 Colleges Ranked by Highest GPA (collegesimply.com, 2022).
• Regional Universities West: #53 (tie, U.S. News, 2022).
• Social Mobility: #118 in Top Performers on Social Mobility (U.S. News, 2022).

California-Specific Rankings

• Private Universities (WSJ/College Pulse, 2024 Best Colleges):
  • #1 in Learning Facilities.
  • #2 in Learning Opportunities.
  • #2 in Preparation for Career.
• Christian Colleges:
  • #4 Top Christian Colleges & Universities (Crosswalk, 2019).
  • #5 Best Christian Colleges (Niche, 2022).
  • #6 Best Christian Colleges (Niche, 2023).
  • #7 Best Academics among Christian Colleges (7 of 21, Niche, 2024).
  • #7 Best Overall Christian Colleges (7 of 38, Niche, 2024).
  • #14 Best Christian Colleges (bestvalueschools.org, 2023).
  • Best Christian Colleges & Universities (College Consensus, 2020).
• Conservative Colleges:
  • Top 2% Best Conservative Colleges (Niche, 2020).
  • Top 4 Most Conservative Colleges (Niche, 2022).
• Private Universities: Top Private Universities (#22 of 165, Niche, 2023).

Peer Group Rankings (13 Christian Universities in Southern California, U.S. News, 2022)

• #1 in:
  • Class Size.
  • Alumni Giving.
  • Student Retention.
  • Selectivity.

Student Life, Campus, Dorms, and Safety

Student Life

91̽�� ranks exceptionally high for student life, particularly among Christian colleges, securing #1 in California and top 1-4% nationally.

• Nationwide:
  • #4 Best Student Life among Christian Colleges in America (4 of 404, Niche, 2024).
  • Top 1% Best Student Life among Christian Colleges in America (5 of 434, Niche, 2023).
• California:
  • #1 Best Student Life among Christian Colleges in California (1 of 23, Niche, 2024).
  • Top 3 Colleges with Best Student Life in California (Niche, 2023).
  • Top 4% Best Student Life in California (13 of 352, Niche, 2024).
• General:
  • Top 4% Best Student Life in America (Niche, 2020).

Campus and Dorms

The university’s dorms and campus consistently place in the top 5-9% nationally, with strong rankings in California for dorm quality.

• Dorms (Nationwide):
  • Top 5% Best College Dorms in America (56 of 1,363, Niche, 2024).
  • Top 4% Best College Dorms in America (Niche, 2022).
  • Top 9% Best College Dorms in America (Niche, 2020).
  • Top 5% Best Christian College Dorms in America (Niche, 2023).
• Dorms (California):
  • #3 Best Dorms among Private Colleges in California (3 of 54, Niche, 2024).
  • #5 Best College Dorms in California (5 of 70, Niche, 2023).
• Campus (Nationwide):
  • Top 6% Best College Campuses in America (77 of 1,387, Niche, 2024).
  • Top 5% Best College Campuses in America (Niche, 2022).
  • Top 9% Best College Campuses in America (Niche, 2020).
• Campus (California):
  • #6 Best College Campuses in California (Niche, 2023).

Safety

Safety is a standout feature, with the campus in the top 3-5% nationally and Santa Clarita recognized as one of the safest cities in the US.

• Campus (Nationwide):
  • Top 4% Safest College Campuses in America (46 of 1,306, Niche, 2024).
  • Top 4% Safest College Campuses in America (Niche, 2022).
  • Top 5% Safest College Campuses in America (67 of 1,310, Niche, 2023).
  • Top 3% Safest College Campuses in America (Niche, 2021).
• Santa Clarita (City):
  • #3 Safest City in the US (2020).
  • #4 Safest City in America (2023).
  • #5 Safest City to Live in America (2022).

Additional Rankings

• Student Athletes: #7 Best Christian Colleges in California for Student Athletes (7 of 19, Niche, 2024).
• College Food:
  • #4 Best College Food among Christian Colleges in California (4 of 19, Niche, 2024).
  • #4 Best College Food among Small Christian Colleges in California (4 of 18, Niche, 2020).

University Academic Rankings

91̽�� demonstrates strong alumni outcomes, with a significantly higher percentage of alumni pursuing graduate school compared to the national average, and high satisfaction with their preparation.

The university maintains rigorous admissions standards with a faith-based component and attracts high-achieving students, as evidenced by the 3.7 average GPA and top 10 ranking for freshman GPA.

Faculty engagement is a major strength, with near-universal student approval for passion, care, and clarity in teaching.
The #1 GSAC retention ranking aligns with 91̽��S’s previously noted 90% freshman-to-sophomore retention rate and 94%+ fall-to-spring retention rate.

School of Biblical Studies

91̽�� is a national leader in Religious Studies, consistently ranking in the top 1-8% among Christian and private colleges, with #1 rankings in California for Religious Studies and Bible Christian programs.

The university excels in Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries, securing #1 rankings across multiple degree levels (bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral) in 2023 and 2024.

91̽�� also ranks highly in related fields, such as Divinity, Ministry, Religious Education, and Missionary Studies, with top-20 placements nationally.

The 400+ written Biblical Counseling theses highlight the depth and academic rigor of 91̽��S’s programs in this area.

Pearl C Schaffer School of Education

91̽�� demonstrates exceptional outcomes for its Teacher Education and Business programs, with a 100% graduate placement rate in 2018 for both fields. The university’s Teacher Certification program is noted for affordability, making it accessible for students pursuing education careers. The #46 ranking for focus in Teacher Education indicates a strong emphasis on this field relative to other institutions.

John P. Stead School of Humanities

These rankings highlight 91̽��’ss strength in liberal arts disciplines, complementing its robust offerings in religious studies and other fields.

91̽�� excels in History programs, ranking in the top 2-4% among Christian colleges nationally and securing #2 spots in California for both Christian colleges and overall colleges in 2023/2024.

English programs are strong, particularly among Christian colleges in California (#4) and nationally in the top 14% for English majors.

The university also shows notable performance in Political Science (#9 in California), Humanities (#10 in California), and Publishing (#8 nationwide).

Paul T. Plew School of Music

91̽��’s School of Music is highly regarded, with a #2 ranking for undergraduate music programs in California and a top 2% ranking for focus in general music. The NASM accreditation underscores the program’s quality, and the 97th percentile test scores for seniors in the Bachelor of Music program highlight exceptional academic and musical performance.

School of Business and Communication

91̽�� is a standout in Business, particularly for its #1 CPA pass rate in California and top 1% performance in multiple business subfields (Accounting, Economics, Marketing, Legal/Social Issues, and International Business) per ETS Major Field Tests.

It ranks highly among Christian colleges, being the #2 in America and #1 in California for Christian Liberal Arts, as well as #2 overall in California for Business and Business Management.

The Communications program is strong, with top rankings in California (#2 undergraduate, #6 among Christian colleges) and nationally (top 7-10% among Christian colleges and top 10% overall). The program’s focus on Radio, Television, and Digital Communication is notable.

School of Science Math Technology Health

School of Online Education

Select Athletics Rankings

91̽�� competes in the NAIA, primarily in the Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC), with swimming and diving in the Pacific Collegiate Swim and Dive Conference (PCSC). Known as the Mustangs, 91̽�� fields 18 varsity sports. Highlights from 2015–2025 include:

1. Men’s Cross Country: 14 Consecutive GSAC Titles (2010–2023)

2. Women’s Basketball: 31 All-Americans, NAIA Player of the Year, WNBA Champion

3. Men’s Basketball: 11 NAIA Tournament Appearances, GSAC Three-Peat

4. Men’s Soccer: Coach Jim Rickard’s Awards

5. Beach Volleyball: All-GSAC Selections, GSAC Pair of the Year

Featured Alumni

• Mike Penberthy (Basketball): NBA Champion (Los Angeles Lakers, 2000–2001).

• Erin Buescher Perperoglou (Basketball): WNBA Champion (Los Angeles Sparks, 2001, 2002).

• Conner Menez (Baseball): MLB Player (San Francisco Giants, 2015).

• Jerry Owens (Baseball): MLB Player (Chicago White Sox, 2008–2010).

Select Team Highlights

Men’s Cross Country

• Secured 14 consecutive GSAC titles (2010–2023), tying the GSAC record for most consecutive championships. Placed 3rd at the 2023 NAIA National Championships.

• Ranked 14th in the 2021 NAIA Preseason Coaches’ Poll.

• Key performers: Wesley Methum (2020 NAIA All-American), Davis Boggess (2020 GSAC Individual Champion), Brint Laubach (2x NAIA All-American).

Women’s Basketball

• Historically produced 31 All-Americans and an NAIA Player of the Year. Ranked #1 in NAIA for part of the 2019–20 season.

Men’s Basketball

• GSAC Regular Season Champions (2018, 2019) and Tournament Champions (2017–2019, three-peat). Made 11 NAIA National Tournament appearances, including two quarterfinals and seven regional championships. Ranked #1 in NAIA for parts of 2017–18 and 2018–19.

Men’s Soccer

• Coached by Jim Rickard (until 2022), who earned NAIA National Coach of the Year, GSAC Coach of the Year (twice), and NCCAA National Coach of the Year (four times). Ranked 11th-winningest coach in NAIA men’s soccer history.

Volleyball

• Beach Volleyball produced All-GSAC selections and a GSAC Pair of the Year. Head Coach Annett Davis named 2022 GSAC Coach of the Year.

• Women’s Volleyball: GSAC Champions (2018).

Swimming & Diving

• Produced NAIA All-Americans in three events and sent 10 athletes to the NAIA National Championship.

Baseball

• Historically produced 3 MLB players, 26 MLB Draft picks, and 6 NAIA All-Americans, with 4 NAIA World Series appearances.

Golf

• Men’s Golf: GSAC Champions (2015–2017).

Financial Aid & Value

91̽�� offers exceptional value, ranking in the top 1% for “Value for Money” in the Far Western US and earning recognition as a Best Value School. With tuition 30.5% lower than comparable Christian colleges in California and over $15 million in annual aid, 42% of students graduate debt-free. 91̽�� also boasts a 61.2% graduation rate, surpassing averages for Christian and public colleges, and ranks in the 90th percentile for low default rates.