California Lutheran University vs. SCU

Comparable Facts

Compare California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, CA with Santa Clara University in Santa Clara, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Santa Clara University is larger than California Lutheran University based on total student enrollment (9,728 students vs. 3,351 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Lutheran University is located in Thousand Oaks, CA (Midsize City setting); Santa Clara University is in Santa Clara, CA (Midsize City setting).
• California Lutheran University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Santa Clara University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Lutheran University 13:1; Santa Clara University 11:1.

California Lutheran University vs. SCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California Lutheran University or SCU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at California Lutheran University than SCU ($32,774 vs. $53,883).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California Lutheran University are 15.5% lower than at Santa Clara University ($16,810 vs. $19,893).
• Santa Clara University is 16.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than California Lutheran University (about $8,733 more per year; $61,293.00 vs. $52,560.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.6% higher at SCU than at California Lutheran University (about $8,733 more per year; $61,293.00 vs. $52,560.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California Lutheran University than at Santa Clara University (99% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Lutheran University students is 26.4% larger than aid received by Santa Clara University students ($35,855 vs. $28,368).

California Lutheran University vs. SCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, California Lutheran University or SCU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between SCU and California Lutheran University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Santa Clara University (1420) is 180 points higher than at California Lutheran University (1240).
• Incoming SCU students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 27 at California Lutheran University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Lutheran University 1150/1330; Santa Clara University 1350/1490.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Lutheran University 24/31; Santa Clara University 31/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California Lutheran University - Test optional; SCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: California Lutheran University Jan 1, 2027; SCU Jan 7, 2027.
• Accepted freshman California Lutheran University students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at SCU (3.67).
• California Lutheran University has a higher acceptance rate (75.7%) than SCU (48%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11% at California Lutheran University vs. 17.7% at SCU.

California Lutheran University vs. SCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California Lutheran University and SCU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Santa Clara University's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than California Lutheran University's (64%).
• Graduates from Santa Clara University earn a median of about $24,000 more per year than California Lutheran University graduates about ten years after starting college ($81,900 vs. $57,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Santa Clara University graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than California Lutheran University graduates ($21,500 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, SCU graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California Lutheran University graduates ($222 vs. $237).
• More SCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California Lutheran University students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 70%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.