California Baptist University Athletics

California Baptist University competes in NCAA Division I, meaning the Lancers offer athletic scholarships and face major college competition. The school awards over $10 million in athletic scholarships annually across 19 varsity sports. With 446 total athletes among 7,914 students, about 5.6% of the student body competes at the varsity level. CBU joined the Western Athletic Conference and made the jump to Division I status relatively recently, transitioning from Division II in 2018. The Lancers have quickly established themselves in their new division, particularly in swimming and water polo programs that have found national success. The athletic program reflects the university's broader growth trajectory, as CBU has expanded rapidly from its Southern Baptist roots while maintaining strong ties to faith-based education and community involvement.