Admit rate has ranged 71%–89% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
California Lutheran University blends a relaxed Southern California vibe with surprisingly rigorous academics, particularly in business and psychology. With a 76% acceptance rate and a 62% four-year graduation rate (well above national averages), Cal Lutheran offers a supportive, hands-on education where professors know students by name—and where the Pacific Ocean is just a short drive away.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
Letters of recommendation
College-prep program
Considered (not required)
Class rank
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
TOEFL (non-native English)
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
2,296
In-state tuition
$52,560
Out-of-state tuition
$52,560
Acceptance Rate
76%
Campus Clubs/Orgs
80+
Most Popular Majors
Business (15%), Psychology (13%), Biology (7%)
Student-Faculty Ratio
11:1
4-Year Graduation Rate
62%
Median Early Career Earnings
$36,427
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$68,712
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
2.3×
Median debt at graduation
$21,669
Graduation rate
70%
First-year retention
79%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
71%
Pell (lower-income) share
51%
First-generation share
35%
Endowment / student
$63,146
Financial health
2.2 / 3.0Meets the federal financial-responsibility standard
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Computer Science$57,995
Accounting and Related Services$55,512
Business Administration, Management and Operations$48,823
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other$46,478
Political Science and Government$36,312
Criminal Justice and Corrections
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
2
Per 1,000 students
0.87
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
208
Summer high
86°F
Winter low
47°F
Annual rain
17"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively High
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
80
Scholarly works
1,394
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Economic mobility
Mobility rate
1.2%
Bottom → top quintile
38%
From bottom quintile
3%
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at California Lutheran University?
California Lutheran University's acceptance rate is approximately 76% (Thousand Oaks, CA), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for California Lutheran University?
Admitted students at California Lutheran University typically score 1150–1330 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does California Lutheran University cost?
At California Lutheran University, the average net price (after aid) is about $30,109 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend California Lutheran University?
California Lutheran University enrolls approximately 2,296 undergraduate students.
Where is California Lutheran University located?
California Lutheran University is located in Thousand Oaks, CA.
Admissions
Cal Lutheran is moderately selective, admitting about three-quarters of applicants—a 76% Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. according to multiple sources. The middle 50% of admitted students for Fall 2025 had GPAs between 3.50-4.12, SAT scores of 1160-1370, and ACT composites of 26-31. Notably, 43% of admitted students had GPAs of 3.75 or higher. While test scores are considered, the university emphasizes a Holistic admissionsA review that weighs the whole applicant — grades, essays, activities, and context — rather than relying on test scores and GPA alone. process that values extracurricular involvement and personal essays alongside academic performance.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
$36,275
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities$33,993
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology$33,993
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Cal Lutheran offers over 40 majors, with business administration (15% of students), psychology (13%), and biology (7%) being the most popular. The School of Management combines accounting, entrepreneurship, and economics with real-world applications—its programs are accredited and known for strong career preparation. Faculty engagement is a hallmark: students consistently praise professors for being accessible and invested in their success. While maintaining its Lutheran heritage (with required religion courses), the university fosters an open-minded intellectual environment where students can customize their education through research opportunities and interdisciplinary programs.
Life at Cal Lutheran balances academic focus with SoCal ease. The campus hosts 400+ annual events and 80+ clubs, from beading workshops with Disability Support Services to leadership development programs. The Instagram-savvy Office of Student Life (@clustudentlife) showcases a community that’s both inclusive and active—think beach trips, open mic nights, and service projects. Dorms are conveniently located near classrooms and the library, creating a walkable campus that students describe as 'friendly' and 'tight-knit.' With 500+ internship opportunities locally (including nearby Los Angeles), students gain professional experience without sacrificing the quintessential college experience.
Cal Lutheran punches above its weight in graduation rates: 62% of students finish in four years (vs. 45% nationally) and 74% graduate within six years. The university guarantees on-time degree completion through its '4 to Finish' program for qualifying students. Early career earnings are modest (median $36,427 one year post-graduation), reflecting the school’s strong liberal arts focus. Notably, 68% of 2024 graduates completed their degrees within the expected timeframe—a testament to the university’s academic support systems and structured pathways.
Tuition runs high at $48,030, but 98% of students receive financial aid—with an average need-based award of $42,770 for first-years. The Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. after scholarships and grants drops to around $27,080 for many students. Cal Lutheran meets 75% of demonstrated need on average, and nearly all students (97%) qualify for institutional grants averaging $15,884. While 59% take out loans, the university’s four-year graduation rate helps minimize debt by reducing extra years of tuition.
Cal Lutheran delivers a rare combination: the personal attention of a small liberal arts college (with an 11:1 student-faculty ratio) alongside the professional opportunities of greater Los Angeles. Its four-year graduation guarantee and above-average completion rates signal a campus that’s serious about student success—not just enrollment. The Lutheran affiliation adds a values-driven dimension without dogma, while the 80+ student clubs and events ensure there’s always a surfboard (or debate team) ready for action. For students who want sunshine, professors who know their names, and a degree that employers respect, Cal Lutheran is a compelling choice.
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