@LordObito, Did you know that we have a lot of schools in southern California that will offer scholarships to you if your stats are good? Most of them have a religious affiliation but it is not “forced”.
As a URM, this is a major hook for the private schools. (The UC’s and CSU’s cannot use affirmation action to admit students; its against the law). You can apply to USC, Chapman (OC), Loyola Marymount, the Claremont Colleges, USD, Pt. Loma Nazarene (in San Diego). Yes, they are very expensive, but if you are a need-based student, you can probably get a decent financial aid package to make your education affordable. Santa Clara, in the bay area has decent financial aid if you can get in.
California is very laid back and accepting of all cultures. It is very popular with immigrant populations.
(At my kids’ high school, there were 87 languages spoken!) So, it is very diverse.