California Lutheran University

7/10 Overall Rating
4 Year
Thousand Oaks, CA
0 reviews

#18 Best Private Colleges in California

Overview Admission Cost Majors Diversity Outcomes Salaries Location Compare Reviews Admission Calculator

Overview

Total enrollment

3,351

Location Thousand Oaks, California
Website callutheran.edu
Type Private 4 Year
Setting Midsize City
Religious Affiliation Evangelical Lutheran Church

Best Colleges Rank

#261

Size Mid-size
Status Non-profit
Housing Yes
Level of Study Undergrad/Graduate

California Lutheran University occupies a 225-acre campus in Thousand Oaks, California, positioned midway between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara in Ventura County. Founded in 1959 by the Lutheran Church, the institution's Spanish mission-style architecture reflects its Southern California setting, with the campus nestled against the Santa Monica Mountains. The private university maintains a selective undergraduate admissions process and offers programs across five academic schools, with notable strengths in business, education, and psychology. CLU provides traditional undergraduate housing through several residence halls and apartment complexes, while competing in NCAA Division III athletics as the Kingsmen and Regals. The institution also operates satellite centers in Woodland Hills, Westlake Village, and Oxnard to serve graduate and professional students.

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Ratings

California Lutheran University is rated within the top 34% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 7 out of 10.

Overall Rating

7 out of 10
Academics

8 out of 10
Resources

7 out of 10
Outcomes

7 out of 10
Value

7 out of 10

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Rankings

Rankings for California Lutheran University within the 2027 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.

Best Colleges in the U.S.

#261
Best Private Colleges in the U.S.

#192
Best Colleges in California

#26
Best Private Colleges in California

#18
Best Value Colleges in the U.S.

#323
Best Value Colleges in California

#23

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Admissions

Admission Standards

Difficult

SAT (enrolled mid-50) 1150/1330
ACT (enrolled mid-50) 24/31
GPA 3.73

Acceptance Rate

75.7%

Applications Due Jan 1, 2027
Enrollment Rate 11%
Application Fee $25

Applicant Competition Very Low

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Annual Cost to Attend

Tuition

$52,560

Costs for California Lutheran University
Fee		Cost
Tuition		$52,560
Books and Supplies		$934
Other Fees		$810
Room and Board		$16,810
Budget for Other Expenses		$4,512
Total One Year Cost		$75,626

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Student Outcomes

Average Salary After 10 Years

$57,900 per year

Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate

64% within 6 years

View Post Graduation Outcomes

Popular Areas of Study

Popular majors at California Lutheran University are Business, Communication, and Social Sciences. 27% of students major in Business, 13% in Communication, and 11% in Social Sciences.