California Lutheran University vs. California State Polytechnic University-Pomona

Comparable Facts

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

California State Polytechnic University Pomona is larger than California Lutheran University based on total student enrollment (27,636 students vs. 3,351 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Lutheran University is located in Thousand Oaks, CA (Midsize City setting); California State Polytechnic University Pomona is in Pomona, CA (Midsize City setting).
• California Lutheran University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Lutheran University 13:1; California State Polytechnic University Pomona 25:1.

California Lutheran University vs. California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California Lutheran University or California State Polytechnic University-Pomona? 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 State Polytechnic University Pomona than California Lutheran University ($11,940 vs. $32,774).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State Polytechnic University Pomona are 0.8% lower than at California Lutheran University ($16,682 vs. $16,810).
• California Lutheran University is 575.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (about $44,780 more per year; $52,560.00 vs. $7,780.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 157.9% higher at California Lutheran University than at California State Polytechnic University Pomona (about $32,180 more per year; $52,560.00 vs. $20,380.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California Lutheran University than at California State Polytechnic University Pomona (99% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Lutheran University students is 203% larger than aid received by California State Polytechnic University Pomona students ($35,855 vs. $11,833).

California Lutheran University vs. California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, California Lutheran University or California State Polytechnic University-Pomona? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between California State Polytechnic University-Pomona and California Lutheran University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California Lutheran University (1240) is 110 points higher than at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (1130).
• Incoming California Lutheran University students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 23 at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Lutheran University 1150/1330; California State Polytechnic University Pomona 1010/1250.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Lutheran University 24/31; California State Polytechnic University Pomona 19/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California Lutheran University - Test optional; California State Polytechnic University-Pomona - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California Lutheran University Jan 1, 2027; California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman California Lutheran University students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (3.69).
• California Lutheran University has a higher acceptance rate (75.7%) than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (75.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11% at California Lutheran University vs. 12.5% at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona.

California Lutheran University vs. California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California Lutheran University and California State Polytechnic University-Pomona? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• California Lutheran University's six-year graduation rate (64%) is higher than California State Polytechnic University Pomona's (50%).
• Graduates from California Lutheran University earn a median of about $2,500 more per year than California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,900 vs. $55,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State Polytechnic University Pomona graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than California Lutheran University graduates ($19,000 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California Lutheran University graduates ($196 vs. $237).
• More California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California Lutheran University students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 70%)

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.