California Lutheran University
Tuition, net price, acceptance rate, SAT/ACT scores, graduation rate, and graduate salary · Thousand Oaks, California
Net price / year
$30,109
after grants & scholarships
higher than 80% of private nonprofit 4-year colleges
Acceptance rate
76%
Graduation rate
72%
within 150% of normal time
higher than 79% of private nonprofit 4-year colleges
Median earnings
$69,695
4 years after graduating
higher than 75% of private nonprofit 4-year colleges
California Lutheran University at a glance
- What is the tuition at California Lutheran University?
- Undergraduate tuition and fees are $52,560 for the 2024-25 academic year.
- What is the cost of attendance at California Lutheran University?
- The average cost of attendance is $68,426 a year before financial aid (2023-24), counting tuition, books, housing and other living expenses.
- What is the net price at California Lutheran University?
- The average net price is $30,109 a year after grants and scholarships, for students receiving federal aid (2023-24).
- What is the acceptance rate at California Lutheran University?
- About 76% of applicants were admitted (fall 2024).
- What SAT and ACT scores are typical at California Lutheran University?
- The middle 50% of admitted students who submitted scores had an SAT total of about 1150–1330 and an ACT composite of 24–31 (fall 2024). Test policy reported: Considered if submitted, but not required.
- What is the graduation rate at California Lutheran University?
- 72% of first-time, full-time students finish within 150% of normal time, or 6 years (entering classes through fall 2018).
- How much do graduates of California Lutheran University earn?
- The median graduate earns $69,695 four years after finishing, among graduates working and not enrolled (2024 dollars).
Key takeaways
- The earnings premium over a typical high-school graduate would cover the estimated net cost in about 3.7 years of work (not counting income forgone while studying).
- At $30,109 a year, the average net price is higher than 80% of private nonprofit 4-year colleges.
- Graduates earn a median $69,695 four years after finishing, more than 75% of private nonprofit 4-year colleges.
- 72% of students graduate on time or within 150% of normal time, higher than 79% of private nonprofit 4-year colleges.
- Families earning under $30,000 pay about $22,161 a year on average, versus $38,364 for families earning over $110,000.
Tuition and cost of attendance at California Lutheran University
Average net price
$30,109 per year
Cost of attendance minus average grants and scholarships, for first-time full-time students receiving federal aid.
Estimate your own price with the California Lutheran University net price calculator ↗
Estimated total net cost
$120,436
Net price × 4 years, at today's prices and assuming on-time completion. Your actual cost depends on your aid.
Net price by family income
Average yearly net price for students receiving federal aid.
- $0–30k $22,161
- $30–48k $23,668
- $48–75k $24,318
- $75–110k $29,303
- $110k+ $38,364
Where the sticker price goes· Cost of attendance $68,426
- Tuition & fees$52,560
- Books & supplies$934
- Room & board$16,810
- Other expenses$4,512
- Tuition & fees (in-state)
- $52,560
- Tuition & fees (out-of-state)
- $52,560
California Lutheran University acceptance rate and SAT/ACT scores
Acceptance rate
Share of applicants admitted.
Test policy: Considered if submitted, but not required
Graduation rate and salary after graduating from California Lutheran University
Graduation rate
72%
First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time.
Retention rate
80%
Full-time first-years who return the next fall.
Typical monthly payment
$230
On a standard 10-year federal plan.
Years of earnings premium to cover cost
3.7 years
Net cost ÷ (graduate earnings − high-school graduate earnings). Excludes income forgone while studying and assumes today's earnings. A rough guide, not a prediction.
Earnings vs debt
Of graduates working and not enrolled, in 2024 dollars.
- Debt-to-earnings
- 0.3×Median debt divided by median earnings 4 years after graduating.
- Share of pay going to loans
- 4%
- 3-year loan default rate
- 0%
Outcomes by student group
The Scorecard reports some outcomes separately for groups of students. A group is left out when it is too small to report. These are school-level figures and say nothing about any individual student.
Completion within 150% of normal time, by group
Share of students who entered in 2018 and completed within 150% of normal time (six years at a four-year college, three at a two-year college).
All students, same entering cohort: 70%
Group rates and the all-student rate come from the same 2018 entering cohort, so they can be compared directly. Groups at small colleges can rest on very few students. Data period: Entering cohort 2018 (IPEDS).
Earnings ten years after entry
All students who entered this college, whether or not they graduated, in 2022 dollars, ten years after entry.
Typical range: middle half of students
25th percentile $44,592 · median $68,712 · 75th percentile $96,084
Median by family income
Median by sex
This is not the same as the graduates' earnings shown above. It covers everyone who entered, including students who left without a degree, ten years after entry and in 2022 dollars. The graduates' figure covers only completers, four years after finishing, in 2024 dollars. Do not compare the two directly.
Data period: Students who entered in academic years 2009-10 and 2010-11 (pooled), earnings measured in 2020 and 2021, 2022 dollars (Treasury).
Median federal student debt, by group
Median federal loan debt of students who borrowed, when they left school, by group.
By Pell Grant status
By first-generation status
By family income
By gender
Data period: Loans in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (pooled, NSLDS).
Programs and majors at California Lutheran University ranked by earnings
| Program | Earnings, 4 yrs after | Earnings over time | Compared with the U.S. median for this field | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting and Related Services Bachelor's · Graduates: 47 | $89,573 | 1 yr$72,6964 yrs$89,5735 yrs$77,276 | U.S. median $76,194 U.S. middle half $56.2K–$97.2K · Above the U.S. median | $22,078 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods Bachelor's · Graduates: 33 | $83,310 | 1 yr$57,2764 yrs$83,310 | U.S. median $86,176 U.S. middle half $61.8K–$114.7K · Below the U.S. median | $24,728 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 18 Small sample | $77,030 | 1 yr$68,3984 yrs$77,0305 yrs$91,699 | U.S. median $107,009 U.S. middle half $74.8K–$152K · Below the U.S. median | $21,750 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations Bachelor's · Graduates: 137 | $76,916 | 1 yr$55,2344 yrs$76,9165 yrs$77,556 | U.S. median $68,257 U.S. middle half $47.6K–$93.6K · Above the U.S. median | $23,000 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other Bachelor's · Graduates: 21 Small sample | $70,409 | 1 yr$23,8794 yrs$70,409 | U.S. median $55,693 U.S. middle half $40.3K–$72.2K · Above the U.S. median | $22,875 |
| Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other Bachelor's · Graduates: 45 | $68,806 | 1 yr$34,4324 yrs$68,8065 yrs$65,117 | U.S. median $55,384 U.S. middle half $39.8K–$74.5K · Above the U.S. median | $24,250 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 18 Small sample | $67,998 | — | U.S. median $52,657 U.S. middle half $37.7K–$69.5K · Above the U.S. median | — |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 34 | $64,939 | 1 yr$32,8944 yrs$64,9395 yrs$77,378 | U.S. median $57,214 U.S. middle half $38.9K–$79.2K · Above the U.S. median | $22,587 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections Bachelor's · Graduates: 21 Small sample | $63,433 | 1 yr$43,1224 yrs$63,4335 yrs$67,177 | U.S. median $55,378 U.S. middle half $40.2K–$74.4K · Above the U.S. median | $20,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies Bachelor's · Graduates: 81 | $61,653 | 1 yr$37,2494 yrs$61,6535 yrs$53,593 | U.S. median $56,359 U.S. middle half $39.6K–$76.1K · Above the U.S. median | $20,802 |
Show all 16 programs
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Bachelor's · Graduates: 46 | $60,806 | 1 yr$34,9894 yrs$60,8065 yrs$59,025 | U.S. median $53,072 U.S. middle half $35.8K–$73.3K · Above the U.S. median | $20,000 |
| Political Science and Government Bachelor's · Graduates: 22 Small sample | $60,243 | 1 yr$36,0614 yrs$60,2435 yrs$57,657 | U.S. median $63,293 U.S. middle half $44.8K–$85.4K · Below the U.S. median | $19,750 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness Bachelor's · Graduates: 46 | $59,820 | 1 yr$33,8184 yrs$59,8205 yrs$56,496 | U.S. median $54,562 U.S. middle half $39K–$73K · Above the U.S. median | $24,000 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 90 | $59,153 | 1 yr$30,9184 yrs$59,1535 yrs$62,074 | U.S. median $50,706 U.S. middle half $35.7K–$67.2K · Above the U.S. median | $23,000 |
| English Language and Literature, General Bachelor's · Graduates: 17 Small sample | $52,428 | — | U.S. median $48,590 U.S. middle half $33.7K–$63.8K · Above the U.S. median | $24,000 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 24 Small sample | $32,316 | 1 yr$20,6504 yrs$32,316 | U.S. median $42,892 U.S. middle half $26K–$58.8K · Below the U.S. median | $25,990 |
Earnings are for graduates working and not enrolled, 4 years after completing, in 2024 dollars.
The U.S. median and middle half (25th to 75th percentile) are for graduates of the same field and credential level at all colleges, 4 years after completing.
The 1-year, 4-year and 5-year figures come from different graduating cohorts and dollar years (1-year: AY2018-19 and AY2019-20 graduates, 2022 dollars; 4-year: AY2017-18 and AY2018-19 graduates, 2024 dollars; 5-year: AY2014-15 and AY2015-16 graduates, 2022 dollars), so read them as three separate measures, not a single career path.
Small samples are noisy: the Scorecard adds privacy noise to program figures and some rows are based on only a handful of graduates, so rows marked “small sample” can move a lot from year to year.
What students study
The largest fields among the degrees and certificates this college awarded, grouped by two-digit CIP code (the federal Classification of Instructional Programs). Fields under 1% are left out.
Share of degrees and certificates awarded, by field
A large share means many awards, not necessarily many students or higher earnings. Data period: Awards in academic year 2024-25 (IPEDS).
Who attends
A snapshot of the undergraduate student body as this college reported it to the federal government. Shares are shown as published; they can differ slightly from 100% because of rounding.
Race and ethnicity
- White 35.9%
- Black or African American 4.5%
- Hispanic or Latino 41%
- Asian 5.5%
- American Indian or Alaska Native 0.1%
- Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander 0.4%
- Two or more races 6.5%
- U.S. nonresident 3.6%
- Race and ethnicity unknown 2.4%
Federal reporting categories. Students who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents are counted as nonresident, and students who did not report are counted as unknown. Data period: Fall 2024 (IPEDS).
Gender
- Men 45.3%
- Women 54.8%
Federal reporting uses two categories. Data period: Fall 2024 (IPEDS).
Students aged 25 or older
7%
of undergraduates
Many adult students work or have families while enrolled. Data period: Fall 2023 (IPEDS).
Students and campus
- Undergraduate enrollment
- 2,296
- Part-time students
- 2%
- Receive Pell Grants
- 31%
- Receive federal loans
- 50%
- Students per faculty member
- 13 : 1
- Setting
- City
Similar colleges
Schools of a similar type, price, size and outcomes.
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Saint Mary's College of California
Moraga, CA
Net price $30,378Earnings $74,325
-
University of Redlands
Redlands, CA
Net price $30,031Earnings $75,863
-
Westmont College
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Net price $29,053Earnings $64,044
-
Biola University
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Net price $31,495Earnings $61,363
-
John Carroll University
University Heights, OH
Net price $28,746Earnings $67,580
-
Iona University
New Rochelle, NY
Net price $29,188Earnings $69,776
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Frequently asked questions
How much is tuition at California Lutheran University?
For the 2024-25 academic year, California Lutheran University reported undergraduate tuition and fees of $52,560. This is the published price before grants and scholarships; what you pay depends on your aid.
What is the cost of attendance and net price at California Lutheran University?
The average cost of attendance at California Lutheran University is $68,426 a year (2023-24), counting tuition, books, housing and other living expenses. After grants and scholarships, the average net price is $30,109 a year. That is higher than 80% of private nonprofit 4-year colleges.
How much financial aid do students at California Lutheran University get?
31% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. 50% receive federal loans. The average net price runs from $22,161 a year for families earning under $30,000 to $38,364 for families earning over $110,000 (2023-24).
What is the acceptance rate at California Lutheran University?
California Lutheran University admitted about 76% of applicants in fall 2024. That means most applicants are admitted.
What SAT and ACT scores do you need for California Lutheran University?
Among admitted students who submitted scores, the middle 50% had an SAT total of about 1150–1330 and an ACT composite of 24–31 (fall 2024). That is a guide, not a cutoff. Reported test policy: Considered if submitted, but not required.
What are the graduation rate and retention rate at California Lutheran University?
72% of first-time, full-time students at California Lutheran University finish within 150% of normal time. 80% of full-time first-years return the next fall.
How much do California Lutheran University graduates earn after graduation?
The median graduate earns $69,695 four years after finishing, among graduates working and not enrolled in further study (2024 dollars). One year after finishing, the median is $43,190.
Is California Lutheran University worth it?
There is no single answer: it depends on your major, your aid and whether you finish. For California Lutheran University, the data shows this. The earnings premium over a typical high-school graduate would cover the estimated net cost in about 3.7 years of work. Graduates who borrowed have a median debt of $21,669, about 0.3 times their median earnings four years after finishing. 72% of first-time, full-time students finish within 150% of normal time. These are averages, not predictions, and they do not count income forgone while studying.
Sources and data periods
All figures come from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard (June 2026 release). Periods differ by measure:
- Average net price: AcadYr 2023-24, reported in IPEDS DCY2024-25
- Acceptance rate: Fall 2024, reported in IPEDS DCY2024-25
- Graduation rate: Fall 2018 or AcadYr 2018-19 cohort (differs by institutional calendar), reported in IPEDS DCY2024-25 pooled with previous years (# of total pooled years found in POOLYRS)
- Median earnings: Treasury AY2017-18, AY2018-19 pooled cohort measured in CY2022, CY2023, inflation adjusted to 2024 dollars
- Median graduate debt: NSLDS FY2020, FY2021 pooled cohorts
Some figures are blank because the school did not report them or the group was too small to publish. How we calculate things