About California Baptist University
California Baptist University blends faith-based education with career-focused programs that prepare students for professional success. The university enrolls 7,914 students on its Riverside campus and has built a strong reputation in nursing, engineering, and business while requiring students to integrate Christian principles into their academic work. With an acceptance rate of nearly 80%, CBU welcomes students who want rigorous academics within a faith-centered environment.
Students pay an average net price of $27,384 after financial aid, making this private education more accessible than the sticker price suggests. Graduates earn a median salary of $61,504 ten years after graduation, providing solid returns on their investment. With median debt of $26,063 and monthly loan payments around $276, most students find the financial equation manageable given their earning potential.
The student body is 62% female and reflects California's diversity, with 42% Hispanic students and strong representation across ethnic groups. CBU competes in NCAA Division I athletics with 19 varsity sports, giving the Lancers a prominent presence in college sports. The 74% retention rate shows most students are satisfied with their choice, though the 60% graduation rate suggests academic challenges that require student commitment and support.
Students pay an average net price of $27,384 after financial aid, making this private education more accessible than the sticker price suggests. Graduates earn a median salary of $61,504 ten years after graduation, providing solid returns on their investment. With median debt of $26,063 and monthly loan payments around $276, most students find the financial equation manageable given their earning potential.
The student body is 62% female and reflects California's diversity, with 42% Hispanic students and strong representation across ethnic groups. CBU competes in NCAA Division I athletics with 19 varsity sports, giving the Lancers a prominent presence in college sports. The 74% retention rate shows most students are satisfied with their choice, though the 60% graduation rate suggests academic challenges that require student commitment and support.
Academics & Faculty
California Baptist University builds its academic programs around nursing, engineering, and business with mandatory faith integration across all disciplines. The 20:1 student-faculty ratio means larger class sizes than top private colleges, but professors still know most students by name. The 61.2% four-year graduation rate reflects the university's focus on working students who often need extra time to complete degrees. CBU's nursing program maintains strong clinical partnerships with Riverside-area hospitals. The engineering school emphasizes hands-on projects that align with Christian values. Business students complete internships with local companies while studying ethical leadership principles. The university requires chapel attendance and integrates Biblical perspectives into coursework across all majors.
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 20:1
- Full-Time Faculty
- 49.4%
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 61.2%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 59.5%
- Retention Rate
- 74.2%
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $61,504
- Carnegie Classification
- Master's University (Large)
Popular Programs by Earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $111,769 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $84,201 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $73,075 |
| Civil Engineering. | Bachelor | $70,009 |
| Public Administration. | Bachelor | $69,338 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor | $68,499 |
| Computer Engineering. | Bachelor | $66,821 |
| Public Administration. | Master | $63,005 |
| Education, General. | Master | $61,060 |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Master | $57,318 |
Campus Life
California Baptist University sits on a 160-acre campus in Riverside, about 60 miles east of Los Angeles. The campus houses 3,670 students in residence halls, representing roughly 46% of the total enrollment. Southern California's year-round sunshine means students spend most days outdoors, with temperatures rarely dropping below 40 degrees in winter.
The student body is 62% female and heavily Hispanic at 42%, reflecting the regional demographics. Chapel attendance is required twice weekly, anchoring the faith-centered campus culture around Christian values. Students often gather at the campus recreation center or participate in intramural sports between the 19 varsity teams. The Lancers compete in NCAA Division I, drawing school spirit around basketball and soccer games.
Weekends typically involve campus ministry events, trips to nearby mountains for hiking, or drives to Los Angeles beaches. The 20:1 student-faculty ratio creates smaller class discussions where faith integration happens naturally. With 89% of students coming from California, most are familiar with the warm climate and car-dependent lifestyle that defines the Inland Empire region.
The student body is 62% female and heavily Hispanic at 42%, reflecting the regional demographics. Chapel attendance is required twice weekly, anchoring the faith-centered campus culture around Christian values. Students often gather at the campus recreation center or participate in intramural sports between the 19 varsity teams. The Lancers compete in NCAA Division I, drawing school spirit around basketball and soccer games.
Weekends typically involve campus ministry events, trips to nearby mountains for hiking, or drives to Los Angeles beaches. The 20:1 student-faculty ratio creates smaller class discussions where faith integration happens naturally. With 89% of students coming from California, most are familiar with the warm climate and car-dependent lifestyle that defines the Inland Empire region.
- Setting
- City-Large
- Housing Capacity
- 3,670 beds
- Calendar System
- Semester
- Study Abroad
- Available
- Founded
- 1950
Campus Safety (2023)
42 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education
| Offense | On Campus | Residential | Noncampus | Public Property |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stalking | 14 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Burglary | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Dating Violence | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fondling | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Arson | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Climate & Weather
- January Avg
- 43°–67°F
- July Avg
- 63°–93°F
- Annual Precipitation
- 9.4"
- Annual Snowfall
- 0.0"
Student Demographics
Nearly 9 out of 10 students come from California, reflecting the university's strong regional reputation and appeal to local families seeking Christian higher education. Women make up nearly two-thirds of the student body, which aligns with the school's popular nursing and education programs that traditionally attract more female students. The campus draws heavily from Hispanic communities, with Latino students comprising the largest single ethnic group. Four in 10 students receive Pell Grants, showing CBU's commitment to making Christian education accessible to working-class families in the Inland Empire.
- Men
- 37.7%
- Women
- 62.3%
- White
- 32.0%
- Black
- 6.3%
- Hispanic
- 42.3%
- Asian
- 6.2%
- In-State Students
- 89.0%
- Pell Grant Recipients
- 41.0%
Location
California Baptist University sits in Riverside, a city of 330,000 people about 60 miles east of Los Angeles. The campus draws 89% of its students from within California, reflecting its strong regional appeal. Riverside sits in the Inland Empire, where desert landscapes meet the foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains. The city offers a growing downtown arts district and historic Mission Inn, but students often venture to nearby attractions like Joshua Tree National Park or the beaches of Orange County. The area experiences over 270 sunny days annually, making outdoor activities popular year-round. Students considering colleges in California may also compare California Baptist University with similar schools in the region.
- Address
- Riverside, California 92504-3297
After College
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $61,504
- Median Earnings (5 years)
- $63,882
- Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
- $40,000
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 54.0%
- Monthly Loan Payment
- $276/mo
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $26,063
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at California Baptist University?
California Baptist University accepts 79.92% of applicants, making it moderately selective for a private Christian institution. The university draws heavily from California with 89.04% of students coming from in-state.
How much does California Baptist University cost after financial aid?
Students pay an average net price of $27,384 annually, less than the full tuition of $39,720. About 41% of students receive Pell Grants, and the median debt load is $26,063 upon graduation.
What is California Baptist University known for academically?
CBU operates 19 NCAA Division I sports programs and maintains a 20:1 student-faculty ratio across its programs. The university is particularly recognized for its nursing, engineering, and business programs that integrate Christian faith with professional preparation.
What are the graduation outcomes at California Baptist University?
The university achieves a 61.20% four-year graduation rate and graduates earn a median salary of $61,504 ten years after graduation. With a 94.4% employment rate, CBU students successfully transition into their careers despite the 53.95% loan repayment rate.
Where do students live at California Baptist University?
The campus houses up to 3,670 students in its residential facilities, serving a total enrollment of 7,914. Women make up 62.28% of the student body, and the campus reflects California's diversity with 42.30% Hispanic and 32.01% White students.
Does California Baptist University offer athletic scholarships?
CBU awards $10,092,814 in athletic scholarships across its 19 Division I sports programs for 446 total athletes. As members of the Western Athletic Conference, the Lancers compete at the highest level of college athletics while maintaining their Christian mission.
