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California Baptist University

#1197 in US ranking Riverside, CA
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Programs:
4 years or more

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Cost

Cost / year
$54,370
Tuition & fees
$42,788
Avg. aid
$21,853
Receiving aid
99%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
85%

Outcomes

Graduation rate
62%
Median salary
$50,613
1 yr after graduation

What does California Baptist University offer in terms of athletics?

California Baptist University competes in NCAA Division I athletics, with the Western Athletic Conference serving as its principal conference affiliation. Varsity participation is distinct from club sports, intramurals, and general recreation, which can offer ways to play without being on an NCAA roster.

Representative varsity sports include basketball, baseball, soccer, swimming and diving, volleyball, water polo, and wrestling, although a sport's conference affiliation can differ from the university's primary affiliation. Students should use the current athletics roster to check whether a particular sport has a men's team, women's team, or both. Football should not be assumed to be an NCAA varsity sport at CBU simply because football-related campus events take place.

For students who do not plan to compete at the varsity level, recreational sports and fitness activities may be a more accessible option. Team selection, facilities, schedules, and any athletic aid are governed by the specific program rather than by university admission alone.

What student groups and Associations are available at California Baptist University?

California Baptist University has student organizations built around academic interests, service, culture, and recreation. Examples in reported organization listings include the Biology Club, Students of Nursing Association, Spanish Club, Ultimate Frisbee Club, and international or U.S. service-mission activities.

These examples show different kinds of involvement: a professional-interest group can connect students in a major, while a recreational club does not require enrollment in that field. Student government and performing-arts activities provide other routes into campus participation. Club names and active status can change from year to year, so students seeking a particular group should check the current recognized-organization directory and meeting information.

CBU also reports a student-run newspaper, a drama or theater group, and choral groups. These should not be confused with a guaranteed place in a course, ensemble, production, or staff role; participation may involve auditions, applications, or a recurring time commitment.

Who studies at California Baptist University?

California Baptist University enrolled approximately 11,902 students in the reported institutional figures. It serves a substantial group of new undergraduates - about 1,612 first-time degree-seeking entrants - as well as roughly 966 transfer-in undergraduates in the reported intake.

Most students come from California: the reported geographic distribution is 89% state residents, compared with 9% from other U.S. states and 2% from other countries. These figures describe where students came from, not whether particular majors or classes have the same mix. The reported student-to-faculty ratio is 20 to 1, an institution-wide measure that does not specify the size of an individual lecture, lab, or seminar.

CBU is not solely a traditional-age undergraduate campus. Its reported age distribution includes students in their late twenties and older alongside a large population in the late teens and early twenties. That breadth matters for applicants comparing daytime campus life with graduate, transfer, or online study. Demographic counts drawn from different reporting systems may cover different student populations and should not be added together as if they were one enrollment table.

How does student life look like at California Baptist University?

California Baptist University combines a residential campus experience with a large commuting population. Reported housing figures place about 37% of students on campus and 63% in the commuting group, so everyday participation may depend on class schedules and the timing of events as much as on residence-hall life.

The university's Christian identity, student activities, athletics, arts, and service opportunities all shape the range of campus events. Students may also use personal or psychological counseling services. First-year students should check orientation and advising arrangements, while commuters may benefit from identifying places to study or meet classmates between classes.

For an applicant, the useful distinction is between opportunities that are open to the campus community and requirements attached to a specific program or living arrangement. A performance, service trip, or athletic event may be part of university life without being a required or practical commitment for every student.

What libraries are available to students at California Baptist University?

California Baptist University's main library is the Annie Gabriel Library. It supports coursework and research through study space and access to library materials; students can also reserve study rooms under the reported library arrangements.

For research-heavy assignments, students should investigate the library catalog, subject databases, journal access, and librarian assistance relevant to their major. Online students should check how to authenticate for electronic resources away from campus and what help is available remotely. Students who need materials the library does not hold can ask about borrowing or document-delivery options.

The library should not be assumed to be a 24-hour study space. Students with late-evening schedules should check current building hours, room-reservation rules, and alternatives during examinations or campus closures.

California Baptist University Student Life for 2027

Total enrollment

11902

Full Time Degree Seeking Freshmen

1611

Member of Athletic Associations

NCAA

Total staff

375 full time, 524 part time

Veterans affair office

Yes

California Baptist University Student Body

Undergraduate vs. graduate students

Undergraduate: 8,417
Graduate: 3,485

Full-time vs. part-time students

Full-time: 9,981
Part-time: 1,921

Full-time degree-seeking students by gender

Women: 1,030
Men: 581

Students by race/ethnicity

Hispanic or Latino: 3,828
Black or African American: 576
White: 2,375
American Indian or Alaska Native: 32
Asian: 477
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 37
Two or more races: 455
Unknown: 513

Freshly enrolled students' age

Under 25 years
Over 25 years

California Baptist University Sports & Athletics

  • Member of NCAA

Varsity teams compete against other colleges, intramural teams within the school. Each column says whether men, women or both take part, and whether the sport offers athletic scholarships (Aid).

Sport

Varsity Intramural Aid

Baseball

Men––

Basketball

Both––

Cheerleading

Women––

Cross-country running

Both––

Football

–Both–

Golf

WomenBoth–

Racquetball

–Both–

Sand volleyball

–Both–

Soccer

BothBoth–

Softball

WomenBoth–

Swimming and diving

WomenBoth–

Track and field

Both––

Volleyball

WomenBoth–

Water polo

BothBoth–

Data last updated on November 2, 2026

Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026

Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.

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