California Lutheran University
Private nonprofit four-year university in Thousand Oaks, CA that costs an average of $26,445 a year after financial aid, admits 76% of applicants and graduates 69% of full-time students.
Net price / year
$26,445
Acceptance rate
76%
Graduation rate
69%
Earnings after 10 yrs
$77,620
Private nonprofitMidsize city2,296 undergraduates
Cost of California Lutheran University
| Total cost of attendance (per year) | $70,795 |
|---|---|
| Tuition and fees, in-state | $54,480 |
| Housing and food (on campus) | $17,540 |
| Books and supplies | $1,088 |
| Average net price after aid | $26,445 |
Net price by family income
| Family income | Average net price / year |
|---|---|
| $0–30,000 | $22,204 |
| $30,001–48,000 | $19,836 |
| $48,001–75,000 | $20,665 |
| $75,001–110,000 | $24,034 |
| $110,001+ | $34,186 |
Net price is what students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Get your own estimate with California Lutheran University's net price calculator ↗.
Admissions
| Acceptance rate | 76% |
|---|---|
| Average SAT | 1,266 |
| SAT reading (25th–75th percentile) | 590–670 |
| SAT math (25th–75th percentile) | 560–660 |
| ACT composite (25th–75th percentile) | 24–31 |
| Test scores | Considered but not required |
Graduation, earnings and debt
| Graduation rate | 69% |
|---|---|
| First-year retention | 79% |
| Median earnings 6 years after enrolling | $60,478 |
| Median earnings 10 years after enrolling | $77,620 |
| Rank in California (earnings) | 41st of 129 similar colleges |
| Median debt of graduates | $21,000 |
| Typical monthly loan payment | $239 (10-year plan) |
| Students with Pell grants | 38% |
| Students with federal loans | 51% |
Majors and programs at California Lutheran University
Earnings one year after graduation and median debt, by program. Click a program for details and comparisons.
Bachelor's degree programs (41)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | 25 | $78,776 | — |
| Accounting and Related Services | 41 | $70,231 | $25,000 |
| Computer Science | 50 | $69,959 | $23,125 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | 3 | $55,659 | — |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 253 | $54,031 | $20,000 |
| Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other | — | $45,968 | — |
| Communication and Media Studies | 83 | $44,059 | $18,500 |
| Criminology | 94 | $42,198 | $17,468 |
| Political Science and Government | 40 | $41,636 | $19,283 |
| Psychology | 186 | $39,940 | $19,000 |
| Biology | 88 | $37,799 | $21,875 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 120 | $32,772 | $22,000 |
| Agricultural Engineering | — | — | — |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | 21 | — | — |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | 1 | — | — |
| Chemistry | 13 | — | — |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 5 | — | — |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | 9 | — | — |
| Economics | 6 | — | — |
| English Language and Literature | 26 | — | — |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | 3 | — | — |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | 31 | — | $18,500 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | 51 | — | $20,500 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | 1 | — | — |
| Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 2 | — | — |
| History | 18 | — | — |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | 4 | — | — |
| Information Science/Studies | 21 | — | — |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | 6 | — | — |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 44 | — | $20,842 |
| Mathematics | 14 | — | — |
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies | 6 | — | — |
| Music | 47 | — | $22,125 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | 23 | — | — |
| Philosophy | 11 | — | — |
| Physics | 13 | — | — |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | 45 | — | $16,375 |
| Religion/Religious Studies | 5 | — | — |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 41 | — | $19,500 |
| Social Sciences | 1 | — | — |
| Sociology | 26 | — | $16,197 |
Master's degree programs (20)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 54 | $100,712 | — |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 156 | $100,386 | $41,000 |
| Marketing | 20 | $81,263 | — |
| Public Administration | 16 | $81,096 | — |
| Special Education and Teaching | 41 | $77,344 | $30,700 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | 35 | $74,828 | $34,600 |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services | 138 | $68,121 | $53,096 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | 21 | $63,700 | — |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | 77 | $55,590 | $54,550 |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology | 26 | — | — |
| Computer and Information Sciences | 55 | — | — |
| Economics | 10 | — | — |
| Education | 84 | — | $34,166 |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations | 4 | — | — |
| Human Resources Management and Services | 10 | — | — |
| International Business | 10 | — | — |
| Management Information Systems and Services | 11 | — | — |
| Public Policy Analysis | 13 | — | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | — | — | — |
| Theological and Ministerial Studies | 13 | — | — |
Doctoral degree programs (2)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Educational Administration and Supervision | — | $108,850 | — |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology | — | $87,918 | $165,062 |
Professional degree programs (2)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology | 28 | — | — |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | 24 | — | — |
Graduate certificate programs (6)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 3 | — | — |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 2 | — | — |
| Human Resources Management and Services | 3 | — | — |
| Management Information Systems and Services | 2 | — | — |
| Marketing | 2 | — | — |
| Theological and Ministerial Studies | 2 | — | — |
Similar colleges in California
| College | City | Net price / yr | Acceptance | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Redlands | Redlands | $30,924 | 83% | $80,659 |
| Art Center College of Design | Pasadena | $48,389 | 75% | $75,975 |
| Saint Mary's College of California | Moraga | $32,200 | 87% | $83,501 |
| Reach University | Oakland | $22,412 | 100% | — |
| Vanguard University of Southern California | Costa Mesa | $23,231 | 62% | $62,456 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa | $22,597 | 88% | $71,595 |
| Occidental College | Los Angeles | $37,470 | 44% | $79,660 |
| University of La Verne | La Verne | $20,523 | 71% | $74,115 |
About California Lutheran University
| Type | Private nonprofit four-year university |
|---|---|
| Location | Thousand Oaks, CA |
| Setting | Midsize city |
| Undergraduates | 2,296 |
| Student-to-faculty ratio | 13 to 1 |
| Accreditor | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission |
| Website | callutheran.edu ↗ |
Frequently asked questions
What is California Lutheran University's acceptance rate?
California Lutheran University admits 76% of applicants. Admitted students average 1,266 on the SAT.
How much does California Lutheran University cost per year?
The full cost of attendance is $70,795 a year (tuition and fees: $54,480). After grants and scholarships the average student pays $26,445 a year, and students from families earning under $30,000 pay about $22,204.
How much do California Lutheran University graduates earn?
Former students earn a median of $77,620 a year, 10 years after first enrolling — 41st of 129 similar colleges in California. The best-paid bachelor's program is management sciences and quantitative methods ($78,776 a year after graduation).
What is California Lutheran University's graduation rate?
69% of full-time students graduate within six years, and 79% of first-year students return for a second year.