California Lutheran University vs. Westmont College

California Lutheran University and Westmont College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

California Lutheran University
Westmont College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: California Lutheran University (75.7% admitted vs 77%). Typical SAT 1240 vs 1350.
  • Cheaper after aid: about even. Average net price is $32,774 at California Lutheran University vs $32,172 at Westmont College. Westmont College in-state tuition is about $1,024 more per year.
  • Graduation: California Lutheran University 64% vs Westmont College 77%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: California Lutheran University $57,900 vs Westmont College $54,600 (median).
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Key differences

California Lutheran University Westmont College
Acceptance rate
California Lutheran University more selective
California Lutheran University75.7%
Westmont College77%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Westmont College higher
California Lutheran University1150-1330
Westmont College1240-1450
Average net price
About even
California Lutheran University$32,774
Westmont College$32,172
In-state tuition
California Lutheran University $1,024 less
California Lutheran University$52,560
Westmont College$53,584
Out-of-state tuition
California Lutheran University $1,024 less
California Lutheran University$52,560
Westmont College$53,584
Graduation rate
Westmont College +13 pts
California Lutheran University64%
Westmont College77%
Median earnings (10 years)
California Lutheran University +$3,300
California Lutheran University$57,900
Westmont College$54,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • California Lutheran University 6,005
  • Westmont College 2,479
  • Admitted
  • California Lutheran University 4,544
  • Westmont College 1,910
  • Acceptance rate
  • California Lutheran University 75.7%
  • Westmont College 77%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • California Lutheran University 11%
  • Westmont College 15.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • California Lutheran University 1240
  • Westmont College 1350
  • Typical ACT score
  • California Lutheran University 27
  • Westmont College 28
  • Average high school GPA
  • California Lutheran University 3.73
  • Westmont College 3.59
  • Typical high school grades
  • California Lutheran University A-
  • Westmont College A-
  • Admissions standards
  • California Lutheran University Difficult
  • Westmont College Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • California Lutheran University
  • Westmont College
  • SAT range
  • California Lutheran University 1150-1330
  • Westmont College 1240-1450
  • ACT range
  • California Lutheran University 24-31
  • Westmont College 25-32
  • Submit test scores
  • California Lutheran University Test optional
  • Westmont College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • California Lutheran University Jan 1, 2027
  • Westmont College
  • Tuition (in state)
  • California Lutheran University $52,560
  • Westmont College $53,584
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • California Lutheran University $52,560
  • Westmont College $53,584
  • Room & board
  • California Lutheran University $16,810
  • Westmont College $16,960
  • Average net price
  • California Lutheran University $32,774
  • Westmont College $32,172
  • Average grant aid
  • California Lutheran University $35,855
  • Westmont College $38,956
  • % receiving grant aid
  • California Lutheran University 99%
  • Westmont College 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • California Lutheran University 64%
  • Westmont College 77%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • California Lutheran University $57,900
  • Westmont College $54,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • California Lutheran University 70%
  • Westmont College 86%
  • Median student loan debt
  • California Lutheran University $23,000
  • Westmont College $25,123
  • Median loan payment
  • California Lutheran University $237
  • Westmont College $259
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • California Lutheran University 13:1
  • Westmont College 10:1
  • Popular majors
  • California Lutheran University
    • Business (27%)
    • Communication (13%)
    • Social Sciences (11%)
    • Psychology (9%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
  • Westmont College
    • English and Literature (12%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (10%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Business (10%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Location
  • California Lutheran University Thousand Oaks, CA
  • Westmont College Santa Barbara, CA
  • Setting
  • California Lutheran University Midsize City
  • Westmont College Midsize Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • California Lutheran University 3,351
  • Westmont College 1,310
  • Type
  • California Lutheran University Private 4 Year
  • Westmont College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • California Lutheran University #261
  • Westmont College #154

Comparable Facts

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

California Lutheran University is larger than Westmont College based on total student enrollment (3,351 students vs. 1,310 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • California Lutheran University is located in Thousand Oaks, CA (Midsize City setting); Westmont College is in Santa Barbara, CA (Midsize Suburban setting).
  • California Lutheran University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Westmont College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: California Lutheran University 13:1; Westmont College 10:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California Lutheran University are 0.9% lower than at Westmont College ($16,810 vs. $16,960).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 1.9% higher at Westmont College than at California Lutheran University (about $1,024 more per year; $53,584 vs. $52,560).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Westmont College than at California Lutheran University (100% vs. 99%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Westmont College students is 8.6% larger than aid received by California Lutheran University students ($38,956 vs. $35,855).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Westmont College than at California Lutheran University (28 vs. 27, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both California Lutheran University and Westmont College.
  • 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, 0.14 higher than at Westmont College (3.59).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11% at California Lutheran University vs. 15.9% at Westmont College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, California Lutheran University graduates have a $2,123 lower median loan debt than Westmont College graduates ($23,000 vs. $25,123).
  • Among borrowers, California Lutheran University graduates have an estimated $22 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Westmont College graduates ($237 vs. $259).
  • More Westmont College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California Lutheran University students, three years after graduation (86% vs. 70%).

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

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