California Lutheran University vs. CSU

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Chico is larger than California Lutheran University based on total student enrollment (15,257 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 University Chico is in Chico, CA (Small City setting).
• California Lutheran University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. California State University Chico is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Lutheran University 13:1; California State University Chico 23:1.

California Lutheran University vs. CSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California Lutheran University or CSU? 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 University Chico than California Lutheran University ($14,630 vs. $32,774).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Chico are 1.8% lower than at California Lutheran University ($16,500 vs. $16,810).
• California Lutheran University is 520.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU (about $44,088 more per year; $52,560.00 vs. $8,472.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 149.4% higher at California Lutheran University than at California State University Chico (about $31,488 more per year; $52,560.00 vs. $21,072.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California Lutheran University than at California State University Chico (99% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Lutheran University students is 211.5% larger than aid received by California State University Chico students ($35,855 vs. $11,509).

California Lutheran University vs. CSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, California Lutheran University or CSU? 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 CSU and California Lutheran University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California Lutheran University (1240) is 170 points higher than at CSU (1070).
• Incoming California Lutheran University students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 21 at CSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Lutheran University 1150/1330; California State University Chico 970/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Lutheran University 24/31; California State University Chico 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California Lutheran University - Test optional; CSU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California Lutheran University Jan 1, 2027; CSU Dec 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman California Lutheran University students have a 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at CSU (3.37).
• CSU has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than California Lutheran University (75.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11% at California Lutheran University vs. 10.2% at CSU.

California Lutheran University vs. CSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California Lutheran University and CSU? 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 University Chico's (59%).
• Graduates from California Lutheran University earn a median of about $5,500 more per year than CSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,900 vs. $52,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Chico graduates have a $6,000 lower median loan debt than California Lutheran University graduates ($17,000 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, CSU graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California Lutheran University graduates ($175 vs. $237).
• More California Lutheran University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU students, three years after graduation. (70% 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.