Skip to content

Colleges › California › California Lutheran University

California Lutheran University

California Lutheran University is a private campus in Thousand Oaks proper — federal locale codes class it as urban. The school reports a Evangelical Lutheran Church affiliation in its federal filings.

Compare this schoolFind colleges

What could it cost?

Start with net price after grants, then read the published costs. Each chart names its academic year and the students it covers.

Net price by family income

key chart

Average annual cost after grants for each family-income band. These group averages are not personal price quotes.

IPEDS Income brackets, 2022–23
family-income band
$17,414
family income
under $30k
$18,518
$30–48k
$23,759
$48–75k
$23,547
$75–110k
$32,409
over $110k

These figures don't always rise with income — aid formulas can make a higher bracket cheaper.

Average net price

$30,1092023–24Skip to data table

Average annual attendance cost after grants for the reported student group. Your own aid offer and costs may differ.

$25k$30k200820232008: $23,3192009: $32,8662010: $25,3492011: $26,7392012: $28,1072013: $27,9182014: $28,4872015: $30,3292016: $25,8712017: $27,2202018: $26,4892019: $27,4102020: $21,4422021: $28,2842022: $26,4332023: $30,109$30,109
$25k$30k200820232008: $23,3192009: $32,8662010: $25,3492011: $26,7392012: $28,1072013: $27,9182014: $28,4872015: $30,3292016: $25,8712017: $27,2202018: $26,4892019: $27,4102020: $21,4422021: $28,2842022: $26,4332023: $30,109$30,109

Average net price at California Lutheran University rose from $23,319 (2008) to $30,109 (2023).

Average net price — data
YearNet price
2008$23,319
2009$32,866
2010$25,349
2011$26,739
2012$28,107
2013$27,918
2014$28,487
2015$30,329
2016$25,871
2017$27,220
2018$26,489
2019$27,410
2020$21,442
2021$28,284
2022$26,433
2023$30,109
IPEDS 16 federal reports, 2008–2023

Total cost of attendance

$68,4262024–25Skip to data table

Estimated annual attendance budget before grants, including tuition, fees, housing, food and books. Not every expense is billed by the school.

$40k$50k$60k$70k200920242009: $40,7892010: $43,2502011: $44,2542012: $46,4352013: $48,6302014: $50,4252015: $52,3862016: $54,3732017: $55,5462018: $56,4912019: $58,3752020: $60,6682021: $55,0392022: $60,9922023: $63,7682024: $68,426$68,426
$40k$50k$60k$70k200920242009: $40,7892010: $43,2502011: $44,2542012: $46,4352013: $48,6302014: $50,4252015: $52,3862016: $54,3732017: $55,5462018: $56,4912019: $58,3752020: $60,6682021: $55,0392022: $60,9922023: $63,7682024: $68,426$68,426

Total cost at California Lutheran University rose from $40,789 (2009) to $68,426 (2024).

Total cost of attendance — data
YearCost
2009$40,789
2010$43,250
2011$44,254
2012$46,435
2013$48,630
2014$50,425
2015$52,386
2016$54,373
2017$55,546
2018$56,491
2019$58,375
2020$60,668
2021$55,039
2022$60,992
2023$63,768
2024$68,426
IPEDS Academic-year cost 2009–2024

Tuition & fees

Skip to data table

Published tuition and fees before grants. Housing, food, books and other attendance costs are separate.

$20k$30k$40k$50k200020232000: $17,0002001: $18,6002002: $19,0502003: $20,2002004: $22,2852005: $23,3702006: $24,3302007: $25,9902008: $27,8502013: $35,7202014: $37,1402015: $38,4302016: $39,7932017: $41,3632018: $42,6922019: $44,3822020: $45,9822021: $46,0122022: $48,0122023: $50,670$50,670
$20k$30k$40k$50k200020232000: $17,0002001: $18,6002002: $19,0502003: $20,2002004: $22,2852005: $23,3702006: $24,3302007: $25,9902008: $27,8502013: $35,7202014: $37,1402015: $38,4302016: $39,7932017: $41,3632018: $42,6922019: $44,3822020: $45,9822021: $46,0122022: $48,0122023: $50,670$50,670

Tuition & fees — data
YearTuition & fees
2000$17,000
2001$18,600
2002$19,050
2003$20,200
2004$22,285
2005$23,370
2006$24,330
2007$25,990
2008$27,850
2013$35,720
2014$37,140
2015$38,430
2016$39,793
2017$41,363
2018$42,692
2019$44,382
2020$45,982
2021$46,012
2022$48,012
2023$50,670
IPEDS Published price 2000–01 to 2023–24 (not adjusted for inflation)
Cost, size & completion summary

Cost, size & completion

Reported tuition is $52,560 before grants and other attendance costs. At California Lutheran University, aid and other costs change the bill. Scorecard snapshot: 2026-06-10; historical charts show their own years.

At 2,296 undergrads, California Lutheran University is a mid-sized campus by U.S. standards.

69.6% of first-time, full-time bachelor's entrants completed at California Lutheran University within six years (2026-06-10 release). This measure excludes other student groups.

Do students finish — and what comes after?

Graduation, debt and earnings cover different groups. Read each chart's entering class or fiscal period; they are not one group's journey.

Six-year graduation rate

key chart
69.6%entered Fall 2018Skip to data table

The share of first-time, full-time bachelor's entrants who completed at this institution within six years. Other students are not included.

50%60%70%entered 1993entered 2018entered 1993: 50.8%entered 1994: 50.8%entered 1995: 54%entered 1996: 70.3%entered 1997: 60.9%entered 1998: 63.5%entered 1999: 66.9%entered 2000: 63.7%entered 2001: 63%entered 2002: 69.2%entered 2003: 63.4%entered 2004: 65.2%entered 2005: 63.9%entered 2006: 60.1%entered 2007: 70%entered 2008: 65.8%entered 2009: 66.2%entered 2010: 73.2%entered 2011: 70.8%entered 2012: 76.2%entered 2013: 68.3%entered 2014: 70.9%entered 2015: 73.8%entered 2016: 73.2%entered 2017: 74%entered 2018: 69.6%69.6%
50%60%70%entered 1993entered 2018entered 1993: 50.8%entered 1994: 50.8%entered 1995: 54%entered 1996: 70.3%entered 1997: 60.9%entered 1998: 63.5%entered 1999: 66.9%entered 2000: 63.7%entered 2001: 63%entered 2002: 69.2%entered 2003: 63.4%entered 2004: 65.2%entered 2005: 63.9%entered 2006: 60.1%entered 2007: 70%entered 2008: 65.8%entered 2009: 66.2%entered 2010: 73.2%entered 2011: 70.8%entered 2012: 76.2%entered 2013: 68.3%entered 2014: 70.9%entered 2015: 73.8%entered 2016: 73.2%entered 2017: 74%entered 2018: 69.6%69.6%

The six-year graduation rate at California Lutheran University rose from 50.8% (entered 1993) to 69.6% (entered 2018).

A six-year rate can only describe a class that entered six or more years ago — by definition the last point on the line is that old.

Six-year graduation rate — data
YearGraduated within 6 yrs
1993 cohort50.8%
1994 cohort50.8%
1995 cohort54%
1996 cohort70.3%
1997 cohort60.9%
1998 cohort63.5%
1999 cohort66.9%
2000 cohort63.7%
2001 cohort63%
2002 cohort69.2%
2003 cohort63.4%
2004 cohort65.2%
2005 cohort63.9%
2006 cohort60.1%
2007 cohort70%
2008 cohort65.8%
2009 cohort66.2%
2010 cohort73.2%
2011 cohort70.8%
2012 cohort76.2%
2013 cohort68.3%
2014 cohort70.9%
2015 cohort73.8%
2016 cohort73.2%
2017 cohort74%
2018 cohort69.6%
IPEDS Entering cohorts 1993–2018

Median debt at exit (completers vs non-completers)

Historical student groups
key chart
Skip to data table

Median federal student loan debt when students left school, shown separately for those who completed and those who did not.

CompletedLeft without degree
$5k$10k$15k$20kLeft school in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 (FY1997/98)Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21)Left school in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 (FY1997/98): $13,947Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04): $15,625Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05): $15,500Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06): $14,638Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07): $14,461Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08): $14,000Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09): $14,625Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10): $16,048Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11): $17,710Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12): $19,711Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13): $19,500Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14): $21,379Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15): $23,000Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16): $22,953Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17): $21,875Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18): $21,500Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19): $21,831Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20): $21,750Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21): $21,669$21,669 completedLeft school in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (FY2000/01): Left school in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (FY2000/01): not shown — below the federal reporting threshold (30 borrowers)Left school in fiscal years 2001 and 2002 (FY2001/02): Left school in fiscal years 2001 and 2002 (FY2001/02): not shown — below the federal reporting threshold (30 borrowers)Left school in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 (FY2002/03): Left school in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 (FY2002/03): not shown — below the federal reporting threshold (30 borrowers)Left school in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 (FY1997/98): $9,000Left school in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (FY2000/01): $10,500Left school in fiscal years 2001 and 2002 (FY2001/02): $11,000Left school in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 (FY2002/03): $10,500Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04): $7,606Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05): $6,125Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06): $5,500Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07): $5,500Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08): $6,125Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09): $7,125Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10): $9,500Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11): $9,500Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12): $8,750Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13): $8,750Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14): $8,750Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15): $9,500Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16): $9,500Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17): $11,000Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18): $10,500Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19): $11,000Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20): $9,720Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21): $10,438$10,438 left
$10k$20kLeft school in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 (FY1997/98)Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21)Left school in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 (FY1997/98): $13,947Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04): $15,625Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05): $15,500Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06): $14,638Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07): $14,461Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08): $14,000Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09): $14,625Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10): $16,048Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11): $17,710Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12): $19,711Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13): $19,500Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14): $21,379Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15): $23,000Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16): $22,953Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17): $21,875Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18): $21,500Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19): $21,831Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20): $21,750Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21): $21,669$21,669 completedLeft school in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (FY2000/01): Left school in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (FY2000/01): not shown — below the federal reporting threshold (30 borrowers)Left school in fiscal years 2001 and 2002 (FY2001/02): Left school in fiscal years 2001 and 2002 (FY2001/02): not shown — below the federal reporting threshold (30 borrowers)Left school in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 (FY2002/03): Left school in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 (FY2002/03): not shown — below the federal reporting threshold (30 borrowers)Left school in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 (FY1997/98): $9,000Left school in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (FY2000/01): $10,500Left school in fiscal years 2001 and 2002 (FY2001/02): $11,000Left school in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 (FY2002/03): $10,500Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04): $7,606Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05): $6,125Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06): $5,500Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07): $5,500Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08): $6,125Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09): $7,125Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10): $9,500Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11): $9,500Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12): $8,750Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13): $8,750Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14): $8,750Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15): $9,500Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16): $9,500Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17): $11,000Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18): $10,500Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19): $11,000Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20): $9,720Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21): $10,438$10,438 left

Each point combines two years. Neighboring points share one year, so changes should be read with that overlap in mind.

These two-year windows closed before today's students borrowed — they describe past cohorts, not the current price of a degree.

Median debt at exit — data
YearCompletedLeft without degree
Left school in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 (FY1997/98)$13,947$9,000
Left school in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (FY2000/01)—$10,500
Left school in fiscal years 2001 and 2002 (FY2001/02)—$11,000
Left school in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 (FY2002/03)—$10,500
Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04)$15,625$7,606
Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05)$15,500$6,125
Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06)$14,638$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07)$14,461$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08)$14,000$6,125
Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09)$14,625$7,125
Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10)$16,048$9,500
Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11)$17,710$9,500
Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12)$19,711$8,750
Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13)$19,500$8,750
Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14)$21,379$8,750
Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15)$23,000$9,500
Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16)$22,953$9,500
Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17)$21,875$11,000
Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18)$21,500$10,500
Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19)$21,831$11,000
Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20)$21,750$9,720
Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21)$21,669$10,438
NSLDS GRAD_DEBT_MDN / WDRAW_DEBT_MDN, merged FY periods · via College Scorecard

Earnings after entry

Historical student groups

Median annual earnings after entering college, for federally aided students who were working and not enrolled when measured.

Entered: academic years 2013–14 or 2014–15
$54,981
6 years after entry
Entered: academic years 2011–12 or 2012–13
$64,258
8 years after entry
Entered: academic years 2009–10 or 2010–11
$68,712
10 years after entry

Each figure covers a different group of students who entered college in the stated years. Earnings were measured in the same two years; these are not one group followed over time.

Measured in 2020–21, adjusted for inflation to 2022 dollars. Each figure pools two entering academic years.

Treasury Pooled entering cohorts · Scorecard 2020–21 historical file

What does the admissions record show?

Rates and score ranges describe a past admissions cycle. Submitted scores are not cutoffs or a prediction of admission.

Admissions snapshot & test policies

California Lutheran University admitted 4,544 of 6,005 applicants in Fall 2024. The 75.7% rate describes that application pool.

75.7%
acceptance rate · Fall 2024 admissions cycle
rate trend$50,670 tuition · 2023–242,296 undergraduates · Fall 2024
Test-optional (considered) · Fall 2024
400SAT range (section 25th/75th sums): 1150–13301600

Not sure where you stand? Estimate your GPA →

Admissions

In the Fall 2024 cycle, California Lutheran University received 6,005 applications and admitted 4,544 (75.7%), with 502 enrolling.

California Lutheran University reported scores as considered but not required for the Fall 2024 admissions cycle. For California Lutheran University’s enrolled SAT submitters, Reading and Writing was 590–670 and Math was 560–660 (25th–75th percentiles). The section-percentile sums 1150–1330 are not composite-score percentiles. These are not admission cutoffs.

Check current requirements with admissions.

Score25th50th75th
SAT Reading & Writing590650670
SAT Math560620660
ACT Composite242631

25th / 75th: a quarter of enrolled submitters scored below the first number, a quarter above the second. These are not cutoffs.

Only students who submitted scores are counted — at test-optional schools, many enrolled students aren't in this table.

Percentiles are among enrolled students who submitted scores (Fall 2024 admissions cycle).

Acceptance rate

75.7%Fall 2024Skip to data table

The share of applicants offered a spot — lower means more selective; read it alongside the score ranges below.

40%60%80%200120242001: 83.5%2002: 73.5%2003: 77.3%2004: 75.7%2005: 68.9%2006: 66.5%2007: 67.8%2008: 64.8%2009: 62.2%2010: 47.2%2011: 44%2012: 47.3%2013: 48%2014: 61%2015: 61.6%2016: 64.2%2017: 72.8%2018: 71.5%2019: 71.4%2020: 74.4%2021: 81.9%2022: 87.2%2023: 88.9%2024: 75.7%75.7%
40%60%80%200120242001: 83.5%2002: 73.5%2003: 77.3%2004: 75.7%2005: 68.9%2006: 66.5%2007: 67.8%2008: 64.8%2009: 62.2%2010: 47.2%2011: 44%2012: 47.3%2013: 48%2014: 61%2015: 61.6%2016: 64.2%2017: 72.8%2018: 71.5%2019: 71.4%2020: 74.4%2021: 81.9%2022: 87.2%2023: 88.9%2024: 75.7%75.7%

Acceptance rate — data
YearAcceptance rate
Fall 200183.5%
Fall 200273.5%
Fall 200377.3%
Fall 200475.7%
Fall 200568.9%
Fall 200666.5%
Fall 200767.8%
Fall 200864.8%
Fall 200962.2%
Fall 201047.2%
Fall 201144%
Fall 201247.3%
Fall 201348%
Fall 201461%
Fall 201561.6%
Fall 201664.2%
Fall 201772.8%
Fall 201871.5%
Fall 201971.4%
Fall 202074.4%
Fall 202181.9%
Fall 202287.2%
Fall 202388.9%
Fall 202475.7%
IPEDS Fall cycles 2001–2024

SAT range (section sums, 25th–75th)

1150–1330Fall 2024 · submittersSkip to data table

Sums of the reading/writing and math percentiles among enrolled submitters — not percentiles of total SAT scores or admission cutoffs.

TEST-OPTIONAL ERA90010001100120013002016 REDESIGN2001202420162001: 9402002: 9902003: 10002004: 9802005: 9902006: 9902007: 9802008: 9902009: 10002010: 10202011: 10102012: 10202013: 10102014: 10002015: 10002016: 9932017: 10602018: 10702019: 10702020: 10702021: 10902022: 11502023: 11342024: 115011502001: 11502002: 11902003: 12002004: 11902005: 11802006: 11902007: 12102008: 12002009: 11902010: 12002011: 12102012: 12102013: 12032014: 12002015: 12002016: 12002017: 12302018: 12502019: 12502020: 12402021: 12902022: 13202023: 13202024: 13301330
TEST-OPTIONAL ERA100012002016 REDESIGN2001202420162001: 9402002: 9902003: 10002004: 9802005: 9902006: 9902007: 9802008: 9902009: 10002010: 10202011: 10102012: 10202013: 10102014: 10002015: 10002016: 9932017: 10602018: 10702019: 10702020: 10702021: 10902022: 11502023: 11342024: 115011502001: 11502002: 11902003: 12002004: 11902005: 11802006: 11902007: 12102008: 12002009: 11902010: 12002011: 12102012: 12102013: 12032014: 12002015: 12002016: 12002017: 12302018: 12502019: 12502020: 12402021: 12902022: 13202023: 13202024: 13301330

SAT range (section sums) — data
Year25th75th
Fall 20019401150
Fall 20029901190
Fall 200310001200
Fall 20049801190
Fall 20059901180
Fall 20069901190
Fall 20079801210
Fall 20089901200
Fall 200910001190
Fall 201010201200
Fall 201110101210
Fall 201210201210
Fall 201310101203
Fall 201410001200
Fall 201510001200
Fall 20169931200
Fall 201710601230
Fall 201810701250
Fall 201910701250
Fall 202010701240
Fall 202110901290
Fall 202211501320
Fall 202311341320
Fall 202411501330
IPEDS Fall 2001–2024, submitters only

ACT middle 50%

24–31Fall 2024 · submittersSkip to data table

The middle half of enrolled ACT submitters, using published composite-score percentiles — not admission cutoffs.

TEST-OPTIONAL ERA202530200120242001: 212002: 222003: 202004: 212005: 202006: 202007: 212008: 222009: 222010: 222011: 222012: 222013: 222014: 222015: 222016: 222017: 212018: 212019: 212020: 202021: 232022: 262023: 232024: 24242001: 262002: 272003: 262004: 262005: 252006: 252007: 262008: 272009: 262010: 272011: 272012: 272013: 262014: 272015: 272016: 272017: 272018: 262019: 272020: 272021: 282022: 302023: 292024: 3131
TEST-OPTIONAL ERA202530200120242001: 212002: 222003: 202004: 212005: 202006: 202007: 212008: 222009: 222010: 222011: 222012: 222013: 222014: 222015: 222016: 222017: 212018: 212019: 212020: 202021: 232022: 262023: 232024: 24242001: 262002: 272003: 262004: 262005: 252006: 252007: 262008: 272009: 262010: 272011: 272012: 272013: 262014: 272015: 272016: 272017: 272018: 262019: 272020: 272021: 282022: 302023: 292024: 3131

ACT middle 50% — data
Year25th75th
Fall 20012126
Fall 20022227
Fall 20032026
Fall 20042126
Fall 20052025
Fall 20062025
Fall 20072126
Fall 20082227
Fall 20092226
Fall 20102227
Fall 20112227
Fall 20122227
Fall 20132226
Fall 20142227
Fall 20152227
Fall 20162227
Fall 20172127
Fall 20182126
Fall 20192127
Fall 20202027
Fall 20212328
Fall 20222630
Fall 20232329
Fall 20242431
IPEDS Fall 2001–2024, submitters only

What is the campus like?

Enrollment counts a campus population; retention follows first-years returning. Their dates and populations are shown separately.

Undergraduate enrollment

2,296Fall 2024Skip to data table

Reported undergraduate enrollment. This count does not measure class size or teaching access.

2k3k3k200220242002: 1,8912003: 1,9092004: 1,9592005: 2,0872006: 2,1222007: 2,1262008: 2,1982009: 2,3442010: 2,5332011: 2,7092012: 2,7882013: 2,8822014: 2,7992015: 2,8022016: 2,8872017: 2,9592018: 3,0542019: 3,0772020: 2,8002021: 2,5882022: 2,5102023: 2,3742024: 2,2962,296
2k3k3k200220242002: 1,8912003: 1,9092004: 1,9592005: 2,0872006: 2,1222007: 2,1262008: 2,1982009: 2,3442010: 2,5332011: 2,7092012: 2,7882013: 2,8822014: 2,7992015: 2,8022016: 2,8872017: 2,9592018: 3,0542019: 3,0772020: 2,8002021: 2,5882022: 2,5102023: 2,3742024: 2,2962,296

Undergraduate enrollment at California Lutheran University rose from 1,891 (Fall 2002) to 2,296 (Fall 2024).

Undergraduate enrollment — data
YearUndergraduates
Fall 20021,891
Fall 20031,909
Fall 20041,959
Fall 20052,087
Fall 20062,122
Fall 20072,126
Fall 20082,198
Fall 20092,344
Fall 20102,533
Fall 20112,709
Fall 20122,788
Fall 20132,882
Fall 20142,799
Fall 20152,802
Fall 20162,887
Fall 20172,959
Fall 20183,054
Fall 20193,077
Fall 20202,800
Fall 20212,588
Fall 20222,510
Fall 20232,374
Fall 20242,296
IPEDS Fall headcounts 2002–2024

First-year retention (full-time)

79%Fall 2023 cohortSkip to data table

The share of the reported first-time student group who returned the following year. This rate does not explain why others left.

78%80%82%84%200220232002: 82%2003: 78%2004: 84%2005: 78%2006: 77%2007: 82%2008: 79%2009: 83%2010: 85%2011: 82%2012: 85%2013: 83%2014: 84%2015: 85%2016: 85%2017: 83%2018: 84%2019: 79%2020: 83%2021: 81%2022: 81%2023: 79%79%
78%80%83%85%200220232002: 82%2003: 78%2004: 84%2005: 78%2006: 77%2007: 82%2008: 79%2009: 83%2010: 85%2011: 82%2012: 85%2013: 83%2014: 84%2015: 85%2016: 85%2017: 83%2018: 84%2019: 79%2020: 83%2021: 81%2022: 81%2023: 79%79%

First-year retention at California Lutheran University has held near 79% from Fall 2002 to Fall 2023.

First-year retention — data
YearRetention
Fall 2002 cohort82%
Fall 2003 cohort78%
Fall 2004 cohort84%
Fall 2005 cohort78%
Fall 2006 cohort77%
Fall 2007 cohort82%
Fall 2008 cohort79%
Fall 2009 cohort83%
Fall 2010 cohort85%
Fall 2011 cohort82%
Fall 2012 cohort85%
Fall 2013 cohort83%
Fall 2014 cohort84%
Fall 2015 cohort85%
Fall 2016 cohort85%
Fall 2017 cohort83%
Fall 2018 cohort84%
Fall 2019 cohort79%
Fall 2020 cohort83%
Fall 2021 cohort81%
Fall 2022 cohort81%
Fall 2023 cohort79%
IPEDS Full-time cohorts 2002–2023
More about California Lutheran University

31.1% of California Lutheran University's undergraduates carry Pell grants — the standard federal marker of lower-income enrollment. Carnegie classes California Lutheran University as a primarily residential campus of 2,296 undergraduates — and 78.8% of the reported first-time, full-time student group returned for a second year.

California Lutheran University's SAT section-percentile sums are 1150–1330 — their midpoint is below the CA four-year benchmark. These are not total-score percentiles. Put your own practice estimate on California Lutheran University's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.

Why some charts are marked “key chart”
key chart

Start with three useful questions: what costs were reported for families in your income band, how many first-time full-time students finished, and what federal debt borrowers held when leaving.

How California Lutheran University compares

State and national medians cover active bachelor-primary institutions, mixing public and private schools. Tuition uses in-state rates at public schools. These are broad reference points, not a ranking of similar schools or your likely bill.

Scorecard dates identify the release snapshot, not a shared measurement year. Earnings describe federally aided students who were working and not enrolled ten years after entry; cohorts and populations differ from the admissions and tuition figures.

Acceptance rate

Fall 2024 admissions cycle · IPEDS

California Lutheran University75.7%
California median74.4%
National median76.8%

Tuition

Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot · published tuition before aid

California Lutheran University$52,560
California median$23,000
National median$19,591

Median earnings (10 yr)

Ten years after entry · Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot

California Lutheran University's snapshot: calendar years and dollar basis unverified.

California Lutheran University$68,712
California median$64,778
National median$53,781
View comparison data & dates
California Lutheran University, California and national reference values
Metric & basisCalifornia Lutheran UniversityCalifornia medianNational median
Acceptance rateFall 2024 admissions cycle · IPEDS75.7%74.4%76.8%
TuitionScorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot · published tuition before aid$52,560$23,000$19,591
Median earnings (10 yr)Ten years after entry · Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot$68,712$64,778$53,781

Published earnings by bachelor's field of study

For California Lutheran University, these are federal subject groups (CIP), not departments. Median is the middle annual income.

California Lutheran University federal-aid recipients · graduated 2017–18 or 2018–19 · income measured 2022 or 2023 · inflation-adjusted to 2024 dollars. Definitions and limits.

View 16 fields & earnings
Bachelor's field of study (CIP category)Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion
Accounting and Related Services$89,573
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods$83,310
Computer Science$77,030
Business Administration, Management and Operations$76,916
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other$70,409
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other$68,806
Sociology$67,998
Biology, General$64,939
Criminal Justice and Corrections$63,433
Communication and Media Studies$61,653
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities$60,806
Political Science and Government$60,243
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness$59,820
Psychology, General$59,153
English Language and Literature, General$52,428
Music$32,316

These 16 fields listed for California Lutheran University measure earnings after completion. The $68,712 institution-level snapshot above measures earnings after entry; it is not the same cohort or a total for these fields. 26 additional California Lutheran University fields have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.

Frequently asked questions

What test-score data does California Lutheran University report?

California Lutheran University's enrolled submitters had SAT section-percentile sums of 1150–1330 in Fall 2024. These are not total-score percentiles or a GPA requirement.

What is California Lutheran University's acceptance rate?

75.7% in the Fall 2024 cycle — 4,544 admitted from 6,005 applicants.

How much does California Lutheran University cost?

At California Lutheran University, tuition is $52,560. Tuition is not the total cost of attendance; aid can reduce your bill.

What earnings data does California Lutheran University report?

Median earnings ten years after entry: $68,712. Major figures measure four years after completion. Source and date limits.

Similar colleges in California

Run your own numbers

Data: IPEDS ADM2024 (Fall 2024 admissions, provisional) · IPEDS HD2024/IC2024 directory · College Scorecard 2026-06-10 release (institution and field-of-study files; earnings from Treasury records). Retrieved 2026-09-01. Chart dates follow this institution's available observations; the release date is not an academic year or an earnings year. Some records end earlier than others. Field-of-study cohort dates are shown with the table. Read the date and population definitions.

Find schools by the numbers →