California Baptist University vs. California Lutheran University

Comparable Facts

Compare California Baptist University in Riverside, CA with California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

California Baptist University is larger than California Lutheran University based on total student enrollment (11,902 students vs. 3,351 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Baptist University is located in Riverside, CA (Large City setting); California Lutheran University is in Thousand Oaks, CA (Midsize City setting).
• California Baptist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. California Lutheran University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Baptist University 21:1; California Lutheran University 13:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California Baptist University are 27.8% lower than at California Lutheran University ($12,140 vs. $16,810).
• Out-of-state tuition is 27.5% higher at California Lutheran University than at California Baptist University (about $11,332 more per year; $52,560 vs. $41,228).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at California Baptist University as at California Lutheran University (99% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Lutheran University students is 34.1% larger than aid received by California Baptist University students ($35,855 vs. $26,743).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 6 points higher at California Lutheran University than at California Baptist University (27 vs. 21, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at California Baptist University, test optional at California Lutheran University.
• Typical fall application deadline: California Lutheran University Jan 1, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at California Lutheran University average a 3.73 high school GPA, 0.15 higher than at California Baptist University (3.58).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.8% at California Baptist University vs. 11% at California Lutheran University.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, California Lutheran University graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than California Baptist University graduates ($23,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, California Lutheran University graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California Baptist University graduates ($237 vs. $279).
• More California Lutheran University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California Baptist University students, three years after graduation (70% vs. 58%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.