California Baptist University vs. California Lutheran University

Comparable Facts

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

California Baptist University is larger than California Lutheran University based on total student enrollment (11,902 students vs. 3,351 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Baptist University is located in Riverside, CA (Large City setting); California Lutheran University is in Thousand Oaks, CA (Midsize City setting).
• California Baptist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. California Lutheran University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Baptist University 21:1; California Lutheran University 13:1.

California Baptist University vs. California Lutheran University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California Baptist University or California Lutheran 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 California Baptist University than California Lutheran University ($27,862 vs. $32,774).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California Baptist University are 27.8% lower than at California Lutheran University ($12,140 vs. $16,810).
• California Lutheran University is 27.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than California Baptist University (about $11,332 more per year; $52,560.00 vs. $41,228.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 27.5% higher at California Lutheran University than at California Baptist University (about $11,332 more per year; $52,560.00 vs. $41,228.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at California Baptist University as at California Lutheran University (99% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Lutheran University students is 34.1% larger than aid received by California Baptist University students ($35,855 vs. $26,743).

California Baptist University vs. California Lutheran University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, California Baptist University or California Lutheran University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between California Lutheran University and California Baptist University.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at California Lutheran University (1240) is 180 points higher than at California Baptist University (1060).
• Incoming California Lutheran University students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (27 vs. 21 at California Baptist University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: California Baptist University 960/1150; California Lutheran University 1150/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: California Baptist University 18/25; California Lutheran University 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California Baptist University - Test-free; California Lutheran University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: California Lutheran University Jan 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman California Lutheran University students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at California Baptist University (3.58).
• California Baptist University has a higher acceptance rate (84.9%) than California Lutheran University (75.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.8% at California Baptist University vs. 11% at California Lutheran University.

California Baptist University vs. California Lutheran University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California Baptist University and California Lutheran University? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• California Lutheran University's six-year graduation rate (64%) is higher than California Baptist University's (55%).
• Graduates from California Lutheran University earn a median of about $12,800 more per year than California Baptist University graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,900 vs. $45,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California Lutheran University graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than California Baptist 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 California Baptist University graduates ($237 vs. $279).
• More California Lutheran University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California Baptist University students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 58%)

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.