2026 College Rankings

Top Hidden Gem Colleges – Pacific West Conference

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College Raptor’s Hidden Gem rankings highlight under-the-radar colleges that may not be household names, but they're bringing serious academic heat. Hidden Gems are based on College Raptor’s overall national rankings and must meet the following criteria:

Receive fewer than 5,000 applications a year.
Have fewer than 7,000 undergraduate students enrolled.
Have an acceptance rate higher than 10%.
Have 5 or more unique majors.
Rank within the top half of College Raptor’s overall rankings.

For more information on methodology behind our college rankings, check out our ranking methodology breakdown.

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Rank	Institution	Acceptance Rate	SAT Score	Your Est. Net Price Avg. Net Price	Median Starting Salary	Save
1	Westmont College	77.04	1,230 – 1,430	36412	53737	#1 Top Hidden Gem Colleges – Pacific West Conference Westmont College Santa Barbara, CA Founded in 1937, Westmont College’s motto is Christus Primatum Tenens, which is Latin for “Christ Holding Preeminence.” The school was initially the Bible Missionary Institute but it became Westmont College only three years later. Student athletes are known as the Warriors and wear maroon, gold, and white....Read more Acceptance Rate 77.0% SAT Score 1,230 – 1,430 Avg. Net Price $36,412 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $53,737
2	Dominican University of California	83.92	1,170 – 1,280	51292	71477	#2 Top Hidden Gem Colleges – Pacific West Conference Dominican University of California San Rafael, CA Founded in 1890, the Dominican University of California is one of the oldest universities in California. Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other is the most popular area of study. 99% of students receive institutional grants from the school....Read more Acceptance Rate 83.9% SAT Score 1,170 – 1,280 Avg. Net Price $51,292 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $71,477
3	Point Loma Nazarene University	83.67	1,200 – 1,400	36370	54811	#3 Top Hidden Gem Colleges – Pacific West Conference Point Loma Nazarene University San Diego, CA Point Loma Nazarene University was founded in 1902 as the Pacific Bible College, and underwent several name changes before arriving at its current moniker in 1998. There are currently 231 athletes and PLNU competes in the Pacific West Conference. Acceptance Rate 83.7% SAT Score 1,200 – 1,400 Avg. Net Price $36,370 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $54,811
4	Biola University	74.82	1,170 – 1,370	30510	45752	#4 Top Hidden Gem Colleges – Pacific West Conference Biola University La Mirada, CA Since 2017, Biola University has competed primarily in the Pacific West Conference. Athletes are known as the Eagles, and wear red, white, and black. Some popular sports include Basketball, Soccer, and Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)....Read more Acceptance Rate 74.8% SAT Score 1,170 – 1,370 Avg. Net Price $30,510 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $45,752
5	Azusa Pacific University	79.59	990 – 1,300	26117	56794	#5 Top Hidden Gem Colleges – Pacific West Conference Azusa Pacific University Azusa, CA Azusa Pacific University is a private Christian school located just northeast of Los Angeles. Opened in 1899, it was originally called the Training School for Christian Workers. Over the next few decades, it merged with other colleges and received its current moniker in 1981....Read more Acceptance Rate 79.6% SAT Score 990 – 1,300 Avg. Net Price $26,117 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $56,794
6	Fresno Pacific University	57.52	970 – 1,180	15668	51422	#6 Top Hidden Gem Colleges – Pacific West Conference Fresno Pacific University Fresno, CA Fresno Pacific University started as the Pacific Bible Institute in 1944, where courses were taught in a home. It became a university in 1997. FPU offers a four-year graduation guarantee – if students meet their responsibilities but need longer than four years, they can take the remaining necessary courses at no cost. Acceptance Rate 57.5% SAT Score 970 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $15,668 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $51,422
7	Concordia University-Irvine	59.86	1,050 – 1,300	29413	53777	#7 Top Hidden Gem Colleges – Pacific West Conference Concordia University-Irvine Irvine, CA Concordia University, Irvine is a private school affiliated with the Lutheran Church. It currently has more graduates than undergraduates attending, and two popular majors include Sport and Fitness Administration/Management, and Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services....Read more Acceptance Rate 59.9% SAT Score 1,050 – 1,300 Avg. Net Price $29,413 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $53,777
8	Chaminade University of Honolulu	51.87	970 – 1,140	27695	48660	#8 Top Hidden Gem Colleges – Pacific West Conference Chaminade University of Honolulu Honolulu, HI Business Administration and Management, General is a popular program at the Chaminade University of Honolulu, which offers up to Doctor's degrees. This Roman Catholic school was founded by the Society of Mary in 1955. 201 athletes, known as Silverswords, compete in the Pacific West Conference. Acceptance Rate 51.9% SAT Score 970 – 1,140 Avg. Net Price $27,695 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $48,660