California Lutheran University vs. St. Mary's University

Comparable Facts

Compare California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, CA with St. Mary's University in San Antonio, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

St. Mary's University is larger than California Lutheran University based on total student enrollment (3,456 students vs. 3,351 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Lutheran University is located in Thousand Oaks, CA (Midsize City setting); St. Mary's University is in San Antonio, TX (Large City setting).
• California Lutheran University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. St. Mary's University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Lutheran University 13:1; St. Mary's University 11:1.

California Lutheran University vs. St. Mary's University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California Lutheran University or St. Mary's University? 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 St. Mary's University than California Lutheran University ($20,412 vs. $32,774).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at St. Mary's University are 23.3% lower than at California Lutheran University ($12,894 vs. $16,810).
• California Lutheran University is 40.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than St. Mary's University (about $15,126 more per year; $52,560.00 vs. $37,434.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 40.4% higher at California Lutheran University than at St. Mary's University (about $15,126 more per year; $52,560.00 vs. $37,434.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at St. Mary's University than at California Lutheran University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Lutheran University students is 30.6% larger than aid received by St. Mary's University students ($35,855 vs. $27,464).

California Lutheran University vs. St. Mary's University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, California Lutheran University or St. Mary's University? 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 St. Mary's University and California Lutheran University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California Lutheran University (1240) is 130 points higher than at St. Mary's University (1110).
• Incoming California Lutheran University students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 21 at St. Mary's University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Lutheran University 1150/1330; St. Mary's University 900/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Lutheran University 24/31; St. Mary's University 15/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California Lutheran University - Test optional; St. Mary's University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: California Lutheran University Jan 1, 2027; St. Mary's University Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman California Lutheran University students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at St. Mary's University (3.61).
• St. Mary's University has a higher acceptance rate (97.8%) than California Lutheran University (75.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11% at California Lutheran University vs. 12.6% at St. Mary's University.

California Lutheran University vs. St. Mary's University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California Lutheran University and St. Mary's University? 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).

• California Lutheran University's six-year graduation rate (64%) is higher than St. Mary's University's (58%).
• Graduates from California Lutheran University earn a median of about $7,900 more per year than St. Mary's University graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,900 vs. $50,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California Lutheran University graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than St. Mary's 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 St. Mary's University graduates ($237 vs. $279).
• More California Lutheran University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former St. Mary's University students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 59%)

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.