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California Lutheran University Admission Requirements

Thousand Oaks, California

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Your chances of getting into California Lutheran University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

87.2%
Admission Difficulty for California Lutheran University
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Difficult 
Applicant Competition Very Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at California Lutheran University is 87.2%.  Its admission rate is the 76th lowest in California.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into California Lutheran University and can you get accepted?

California Lutheran University is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 4,490 out of the 5,150 who applied were admitted.

California Lutheran University typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.73. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 13% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into California Lutheran University?

87% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to California Lutheran University you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.73 or better
  • Earn A- grades in high school
  • Score 1240 on the SAT
  • Score 28 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top 25% of your high school class

California Lutheran University GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.73

Typical High School Grades 

A-

What GPA do you need to get into California Lutheran University?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into California Lutheran University are to have around a 3.73 high school GPA. You are required to have very good grades in high school.

If your high school grades are above the average 3.73 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as California Lutheran University accepts 87% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at California Lutheran University is 3.73 on the 4.0 scale. 29% of students who get in have perfect 4.0 GPA's in high school. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn A- letter grades and regularly score around 90-92 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #26 in California for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since California Lutheran University is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.7 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted California Lutheran University students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 29.0% Good
3.75 to 3.99 20.0% Avg +
3.50 to 3.74 23.0% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 16.0% Reach
3.00 to 3.24 9.0% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 3.0% Low
2.00 to 2.49 0% Low
1.00 to 1.99 0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

California Lutheran University SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to California Lutheran University. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 14% of students submitted SAT scores and 4% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1150-1320

Applicants Submitting SAT 

14%
SAT Scores for California Lutheran University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 580
Math 25th Percentile 570
Composite 25th Percentile 1150
SAT Scores for California Lutheran University
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 660
Math 75th Percentile 660
Composite 75th Percentile 1320
Average SAT Score 1240

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to California Lutheran University?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at California Lutheran University is 1240 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1150-1320. Students who get into California Lutheran University score in the top 32 percent of all SAT test takers..  California Lutheran University ranks #31 in the state of California for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1240 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. California Lutheran University regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1150 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1150, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1060, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

California Lutheran University is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1240 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1235, you have around a 87% chance of being admitted. A 1320 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 93% chance of getting in.

California Lutheran University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1320 and Above Good >93%
1235 to 1320 Avg + 87%-93%
1150 to 1235 Avg - 78%-87%
1065 to 1150 Reach 65%-78%
Less than 1065 Low <65%
Calculate My Chances 

California Lutheran University ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

26-30 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

4%
ACT Scores for California Lutheran University
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 24
Math 25th Percentile 25
Composite 25th Percentile 26
ACT Scores for California Lutheran University
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 31
Math 75th Percentile 28
Composite 75th Percentile 30
Average ACT Score 28

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into California Lutheran University?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to California Lutheran University is 28, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 26 and 30.  The school ranks #25 in California and #194 in the U.S. for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 28. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 26 and score in the score in the top 18 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 24.

4 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to California Lutheran University.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as California Lutheran University is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into California Lutheran University for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 28 score has around 87% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 93% with a 30 ACT score.

California Lutheran University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
30 and Above Good >93%
28 to 30 Avg + 87%-93%
26 to 28 Avg - 78%-87%
24 to 26 Reach 65%-78%
Less than 24 Low <65%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

55% of California Lutheran University freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 21% are in the top ten percent.

High School Class Rank for admitted California Lutheran University students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 21%
Top 25% of class 55%
Top 50% of class 94%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

California Lutheran University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 2,915 2,235 5,150
Accepted 2,560 1,930 4,490
Acceptance Rate 88% 86% 87%
Enrolled 323 279 602
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 13% 14% 13%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2025 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jan 1, 2025

Days left to Apply

7

Applicants have 7 days left until the Fall 2025 term applications are due on Jan 1, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to California Lutheran University is $25.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to California Lutheran University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

California Lutheran University Application Requirements
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at California Lutheran University
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences Yes

Admission Requirements Summary

Because California Lutheran University is lightly competitive to get into, you have a very good chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.73 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1240 and ACT of 28 will almost guarantee your admission.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to California Lutheran University often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=110413 IPEDS survey data for California Lutheran University.

Last updated February 24, 2024