California Lutheran University vs. Bradley

Should I go to California Lutheran University or Bradley University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if California Lutheran University or Bradley is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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California Lutheran University vs. Bradley University comparison
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California Lutheran University Bradley University
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Overview

California Lutheran University Bradley
Location Thousand Oaks, CA Peoria, IL
Setting Midsize City Midsize City
Enrollment 3,413 5,217
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #359 #192
Religious Affiliation Evangelical Lutheran Church - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website callutheran.edu bradley.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

California Lutheran University Bradley
Tuition (In State) $49,880 $39,248
Tuition (Out of State) $49,880 $39,248
Room & Board $17,734 $12,850
Avg Net Price $27,080 $24,703
Avg Grant Aid $36,687 $27,989
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

California Lutheran University Bradley
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,290 10,138
Admitted 4,702 7,772
Acceptance Rate 88.9% 76.7%
Enrolled % 12.2% 10.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.73 3.83
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Difficult Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 23/29 25/31
SAT Range 1134/1320 1090/1300
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jan 1, 2026

Academics

California Lutheran University Bradley
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (27%)
  • Communication (13%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Engineering (13%)
  • Health Professions (12%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Education (9%)

Outcomes

California Lutheran University Bradley
Graduation Rate 64% 75%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $57,900 $56,800
Making Student Loan Payments 70% 75%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,000 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $237 $279

Diversity

California Lutheran University Bradley
% Men 10% 9%
% Women 20% 16%
Racial Diversity Very High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 49% 64%
% Black 4% 5%
% Hispanic 27% 6%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 1%
% International 4% 1%
% Unknown Race 4% 20%

Students

California Lutheran University Bradley
% In-State 80% 86%
% Out-of-State 16% 14%

Campus

California Lutheran University Bradley
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Bradley University is larger than than California Lutheran University based on total student enrollment (5,217 students vs. 3,413 students)

California Lutheran University vs. Bradley Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California Lutheran University or Bradley?

  • California Lutheran University is 27.1% more expensive to attend than Bradley for in-state tuition ($49,880.00 vs. $39,248.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 27.1% higher at California Lutheran University than Bradley University ($49,880.00 vs. $39,248.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Bradley University than California Lutheran University ($24,703 vs. $27,080)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bradley University are 38% lower than costs at California Lutheran University ($12,850 vs. $17,734)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at California Lutheran University as Bradley University (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by California Lutheran University students is 31.1% larger than aid received Bradley University ($36,687 vs. $27,989)

California Lutheran University vs. Bradley Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, California Lutheran University or Bradley? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Bradley or California Lutheran University .

  • The average SAT score at Bradley University (1163) is 54 points higher than at California Lutheran University (1109)
  • Incoming Bradley students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at California Lutheran University (25)
  • Accepted freshman Bradley students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at California Lutheran University (3.73)
  • California Lutheran University has a higher acceptance rate (88.9%) than Bradley (76.7%)

California Lutheran University vs. Bradley Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, California Lutheran University or Bradley? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Bradley and California Lutheran University.

  • The graduation rate at Bradley is higher than California Lutheran University (75% vs. 64%)
  • Graduates from California Lutheran University earn on average $1,100 more per year than Bradley graduates after ten years. ($57,900 vs. $56,800)
  • California Lutheran University students graduate with a $4,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Bradley graduates. ($23,000 vs. $27,000)
  • California Lutheran University graduates are paying $42 less per month on federal student loans than Bradley graduates. ($237 vs. $279)
  • More Bradley graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California Lutheran University students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 70%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/