Overview
California Lutheran University is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in Thousand Oaks, California. There are currently 2,510 undergraduates at Cal Lutheran and the school’s acceptance rate is 87%. The tuition at Cal Lutheran is $48,012.
Cal Lutheran is a Evangelical Lutheran school. That means that the administration is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran faith. Classes may be designed with religious principles in mind, or some schools may even incorporate prayer into their schedule. Other schools with a religious affiliation may not be as active in their incorporation of the faith. It's a good idea to ask an admissions officer or current student what role faith has at Cal Lutheran to help you make an educated decision.
Scholarships & Financial Aid
$67,805
$39,521
$28,284
Cost Breakdown
Estimated Cost:
$67,805for the 2023-2024 Academic Year
The sticker price at Cal Lutheran is $67,805. This sticker price includes costs for tuition, books and supplies, room and board, and other miscellaneous expenses.
It’s also important to note that the cost of attendance can vary from year to year and typically it will rise over your four years in college. With that said, your financial aid will also be recalculated every year to take any price increases, as well as any changes in your financial situation, into account.
College costs can look different for every student based on their financial situation. To get a more accurate picture of what tuition at Cal Lutheran would look like for you, try entering your financial information into their Net Price Calculator.
California Lutheran University Financial Aid
Students who are applying for financial aid at California Lutheran University need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA). The FAFSA uses financial information from the prior, prior year which means that you don’t need to wait for the year to end and can use last year’s financial information.
The FAFSA code for California Lutheran University is 001133.
If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA, check out our How to Complete the FAFSA Guide.
Using State Grants at Cal Lutheran
If you reside in California and are considering Cal Lutheran, be sure to investigate the Cal Grant. You can apply by submitting your FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application, but you must meet the program's deadline in order to qualify. If you meet financial and other requirements, you may receive over $14,000 per year towards education expenses. The amount received depends on the type of institution you attend and your financial need.
Apply to these scholarships due soon
See more California scholarshipsPell Grants at California Lutheran University
29% of students at California Lutheran University receive Pell Grants, which are awarded to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need (students who have a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible). Pell Grants are awarded by the federal government and do not need to be repaid. To apply for a Pell Grant, students will need to submit their FAFSA. If you are awarded a Pell Grant, you’ll see it listed in your financial aid award letter if you are accepted to California Lutheran University.
You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.
Outside Scholarships
Cal Lutheran students can also apply for outside scholarships to fund their education. Outside scholarships are awards that are offered by private and non-profit organizations. If you want to see what outside scholarships you are eligible for, check out these resources:
California Lutheran University Financial Aid Resources
If you are looking for more information about financial aid and scholarships at Cal Lutheran or have questions that are specific to your personal situation, we recommend that you reach out directly to the financial aid office!
Here’s how you can get in touch:
- Website: https://www.callutheran.edu/financial-aid/
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 805-493-3115
Admissions
87%
26
1165 is the median SAT score and 26 is the median ACT score for admitted students at Cal Lutheran. A score that is close to this median value indicates that you have a good chance of admission to the institution. However, it’s important to remember that colleges judge applications holistically. If the rest of your application is strong, it’s possible to make up for lower test scores.
Is Cal Lutheran test-optional?
California Lutheran University is test-optional, which means that it does not require applicants to submit their SAT or ACT scores. That means that some students will submit their test scores and others will not. If you choose not to submit your ACT or SAT score, the admissions officers will weigh your grades, extracurricular activities, essays, and interviews more heavily. If you are not sure whether you should submit your standardized test scores, our guide on submitting scores to test-optional schools can help.
What SAT/ACT score do you need to get into California Lutheran University?
Colleges use standardized tests like the SAT and ACT as one of many factors to determine their admissions decisions. A high score on one of these tests does not guarantee admission to a college, and a low score does not guarantee rejection. However, the majority of accepted applicants to California Lutheran University receive between a 26 and a 30 on their ACT, or a 1105 and a 1290 on their SAT.
Early Action
Regular Decision
What is the application deadline at Cal Lutheran?
Students must apply by January 15 to enroll at Cal Lutheran during the fall semester. Remember that college applications involve many pieces, including essays, a transcript, letters of recommendation, and more. Be sure to start your application as soon as you can to make sure you have enough time to make it as compelling as possible.
And if you’re considering applying Early Action at Cal Lutheran, remember that the deadline is November 15.
Should I apply Early Action at Cal Lutheran?
Early Action is a great option for students who want to hear back from a college before the Regular Decision admissions are released. At some colleges, applying Early Action can also help your admissions chances. However, this varies on a college-by-college basis, so it will not always give you a boost.
Be on the lookout for Single Choice Early Action or Restricted Early Action options. These are not the same as Early Action, and although they can be great options for some students, they are not a good fit for everyone. If you’re considering applying for Single Choice Early Action or Restricted Early Action, be sure to read the college’s admissions website carefully. Make sure that these restrictions fit with your college admissions plan.
Academics
Student/Faculty Ratio
14:1
Graduation Rate
73%
Popular Majors
Percent of Students
Business, Management, & Marketing
22%
22% of graduates
Psychology
14%
14% of graduates
Communications & Journalism
11%
11% of graduates
Social Sciences
10%
10% of graduates
Biological & Biomedical Sciences
10%
10% of graduates
Visual & Performing Arts
8%
8% of graduates
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies
8%
8% of graduates
Computer & Information Sciences
5%
5% of graduates
Liberal Arts & Humanities
5%
5% of graduates
Physical Sciences
2%
2% of graduates
Natural Resources & Conservation
2%
2% of graduates
English Language & Literature
1%
1% of graduates
Languages & Literatures
1%
1% of graduates
Philosophy & Religious Studies
1%
1% of graduates
History
1%
1% of graduates
Mathematics
1%
1% of graduates
Student Body
Undergraduate Students
2,510
Pell Grant 31%
Undergrad Students Over 25 8%
Part-Time Undergrad Students 2%
Percent Male / Female 46% / 54%
Ethnic Diversity at Cal Lutheran
40% Hispanic
38% White
6% Multiracial
6% Asian / Pacific Islander
5% Black
3% International / Non-Citizen
2% Unknown
Student Outcomes
Graduate Income
$68,712
Median Debt $21,669
Debt 10 years after graduation $230
Graduation Rate 73%
What is the graduation rate at California Lutheran University?
73% of students who start at California Lutheran University end up finishing their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 15% more than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.
How much do graduates of California Lutheran University go on to earn?
10 years after starting school at California Lutheran University, the median earnings among students who received federal financial aid was $68,712. This is $18,321 more than the national median.
Earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Your major and career path can cause substantial changes in your income down the line. For more information, check out our article on the average starting salary out of college.
How much do students at Cal Lutheran take out in loans?
Graduates of Cal Lutheran have to take out a median of $21,669 in federal student loans. This is $8,169 more than the national median. As you make decisions about your college loans, it’s important to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Our guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.
Data Sources
We strive to provide users with the most up-to-date information and source data from publicly available sources, including the College Scorecard and directly from the colleges. College statistics can change throughout the year, but we do our best to update them as quickly as possible. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.
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