What California Baptist University does

California Baptist University (CBU) is a private Christian university founded in 1950 in Los Angeles and relocated to its current 162-acre campus in Riverside, California in 1968. The institution was renamed from California Baptist College to California Baptist University in 2000 and transitioned from NCAA Division II to Division I athletics in 2018. CBU serves more than 3,500 resident undergraduate students plus graduate, online, international, and transfer cohorts through nine colleges and schools, including the Jabs School of Business, College of Nursing, College of Health Science, Bourns College of Engineering, College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, and College of Performing Arts.

The university's core technology and infrastructure consist of educational facilities rather than software products: medical simulation rooms for allied-health training, a 10,800 sq. ft. Athletic Performance Center, an 80,000 sq. ft. Recreation Center, and a 5,050-seat Events Center supporting the Division I CBU Lancers athletic program. Administrative systems are built on third-party platforms including StarRez for housing management, YouVisit for virtual tours, Provider Contract Food Services for dining, and an SMS messaging service for student communications. No proprietary AI/ML or software products are disclosed.

CBU's revenue model is anchored in tuition and mandatory auxiliary fees. Tuition is paired with semester-priced housing ($4,202-$4,451 for undergraduates; $4,525 for graduate housing at College Park), tiered mandatory meal plans ($755-$4,564 per semester), a $45 application fee, and transfer-student academic scholarships of $9,000-$13,000 per year. Distribution is hybrid: on-campus delivery in Riverside supplemented by online programs, with rolling admissions and a December 5th Lancer Select priority deadline driving early enrollment commitments. A network of undergraduate admissions counselors, high school counselor partnerships, campus tours, virtual experiences, and multi-channel digital marketing (web, social, email, SMS) form the go-to-market motion.

Name

California Baptist University

Legal name

California Baptist University

Website

https://calbaptist.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1950

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

California Baptist University is a private Christian university in Riverside, California serving 3,500+ resident undergraduates plus graduate, online, and international students through nine colleges, generating revenue primarily from tuition, housing, and meal plans.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Religiously Affiliated Liberal Arts Colleges (EDAHACAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Undergraduate Business Schools (BBA/BSBA Programs) (EDAHAHAA), Campus Spiritual & Religious Life (EDALAHAI)

Keywords

• Higher education
• Undergraduate programs
• Graduate programs
• Online learning
• Christian university

Headquarters

HQ city

Riverside

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Primary revenue stream from undergraduate and graduate tuition, including application fees ($45). The university offers academic scholarships for transfer students ranging from $9,000-$13,000 per year based on GPA qualifications.
2. Housing Services: On-campus housing revenue from multiple residence options including Magnolia Crossing ($4,451/semester), Colony/Cottages/Lancer Arms/Point/Tower/UP/Village ($4,294/semester), and Smith/Simmons ($4,202/semester). Graduate housing at College Park is $4,525/semester.
3. Meal Plans: Meal plan revenue with multiple tiers ranging from $755/semester (35 meal swipes + $150 dining dollars) to $4,564/semester (270 meal swipes + $550 dining dollars). Undergraduate residential students must purchase a meal plan.
4. Campus Services: Additional revenue from campus store, dining locations, event tickets, and auxiliary services supporting student life operations

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

California Baptist University is a private Christian university that delivers higher education through undergraduate, graduate, and online degree programs across nine colleges and schools, including Business, Nursing, Health Science, Engineering, Behavioral and Social Sciences, and Performing Arts. The university supplements academic instruction with on-campus housing for 3,500+ students, dining services, NCAA Division I athletics, and student support services such as career development, counseling, and global engagement programs, integrating faith with academic and professional development.

Product overview

California Baptist University offers a comprehensive higher education portfolio consisting of undergraduate, graduate, and online academic programs delivered through nine distinct colleges and schools including Jabs School of Business, College of Nursing, College of Health Science, Bourns College of Engineering, College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, and College of Performing Arts. The university provides extensive student support services including a Writing Center, Career and Professional Development Center, Counseling Center, Tutoring Center, Disability Services, Global Engagement programs, and International Center. CBU also operates Division I athletics (Lancers), on-campus residence life and housing services accommodating over 3,500 students, campus dining services, and Safety Services with 24-hour security support. The institution integrates third-party platforms including StarRez for housing management, Provider Contract Food Services for dining, YouVisit for virtual campus tours, and Grammarly as a recommended writing tool.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Undergraduate Programs Traditional undergraduate degree programs across multiple disciplines including business, engineering, nursing, health sciences, and liberal arts, designed for students seeking a four-year Christ-centered residential experience.
• Graduate Programs Graduate-level degree programs including master's and doctoral degrees across various academic disciplines, such as the M.S. in Physician Assistant Studies and M.S. in Athletic Training, for students pursuing advanced professional preparation.
• Online Programs Distance learning options allowing students to pursue undergraduate and graduate education through online modalities, supported by virtual academic sessions and financial aid sessions.
• Jabs School of Business Business school offering degrees in accounting, marketing, information technology, organizational leadership, and finance with an ethical foundation rooted in faith.
• College of Nursing Nursing program preparing students to meet growing demand for skilled nursing professionals through classroom instruction and simulated patient care environments.
• College of Health Science Health science programs including physician assistant studies, healthcare administration, and radiologic sciences.
• Bourns College of Engineering Engineering college providing technical training through hands-on projects and internships in disciplines including chemical engineering and aerospace.
• College of Behavioral and Social Sciences Behavioral and social sciences school emphasizing faith as foundation for community engagement and psychology programs.
• College of Performing Arts Performing arts programs including theatre and music housed in the Wallace Theater facility.
• CBU Lancers Athletics NCAA Division I athletic program competing in the Western Athletic Conference (transitioning to the Big West Conference in July 2026) with multiple sports teams and a 5,050-seat Events Center.
• Residence Life and Housing On-campus housing services accommodating over 3,500 undergraduate students across multiple living areas including Magnolia Crossing, Colony, Cottages, Lancer Arms, Point, Tower, University Place, Village, Smith, Simmons, and graduate housing at College Park.
• Dining Services Food service program managed by Provider Contract Food Services, offering multiple meal plan tiers (A through L) ranging from $755 to $4,564 per semester, with dining locations and catering across campus.
• Center for Career and Professional Development Career guidance service helping students explore career paths, find internships, and identify job opportunities aligned with their majors.

Quantifiable outcome

• Top 3 Best Christian College in California (Niche)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Provider Contract Food ServicescoreOthersA local homegrown company with global appeal that provides quality food service options for the campus community. Provider manages the on-campus food service program, campus catering services, and on-campus vending. The University Card Services Office and Provider work closely together to create dining options that meet the needs of the CBU community.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Fresno Pacific University: A private Christian (Mennonite Brethren) university in Fresno, California, with overlapping faith-affiliated mission, traditional undergraduate focus, and graduate/online program offerings in the California Central Valley.
• Concordia University Irvine: A private Lutheran (LCMS) university in Irvine, California, comparable in size, faith-based mission, and undergraduate/graduate program breadth within the Southern California faith-based higher-ed segment.
• Biola University: A private Christian university in La Mirada, California, with a similar mix of undergraduate, graduate, and online programs and a comparable faith-centered brand. Strong direct peer in faith-based California higher education.
• Azusa Pacific University: A private, faith-affiliated (interdenominational Christian) university in Azusa, California, similar in size, faith-based positioning, and broad undergraduate/graduate portfolio including nursing and engineering. Directly comparable as a California Christian university competitor.
• Point Loma Nazarene University: A private Christian (Nazarene) university in San Diego, California, with a residential campus, comparable undergraduate size, and similar faith-integrated academic portfolio.
• Vanguard University: A private Christian (Assemblies of God) university in Costa Mesa, California, with overlapping faith-based positioning, smaller enrollment, and similar liberal arts/professional program mix in Southern California.

Broad incumbents

• Liberty University: A very large private Christian university in Lynchburg, Virginia, with comprehensive undergraduate/graduate/online programs and Division I athletics. Comparable as a faith-affiliated comprehensive university, though at materially larger scale and with a stronger online footprint.
• Grand Canyon University: A large for-profit Christian university in Phoenix, Arizona, comparable in faith-based positioning and strong health sciences programs (notably nursing), with significantly larger enrollment and a heavier online program emphasis.
• Pepperdine University: A larger, more established faith-affiliated (Churches of Christ) private university in Malibu, California. Comparable in faith-based brand and California footprint but operates at significantly larger scale and higher price point.
• Oral Roberts University: A private charismatic Christian university in Tulsa, Oklahoma, comparable as a faith-affiliated comprehensive university with Division I athletics and a similar faith-integrated academic and student life model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/calbaptist
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@CBUchannel
• Facebookfacebook.com/10956277685
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/california-baptist-university
• Instagraminstagram.com/calbaptist

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about California Baptist University