California Lutheran University vs. Cal State Fullerton

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Fullerton is larger than California Lutheran University based on total student enrollment (43,662 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 Fullerton is in Fullerton, CA (Midsize City setting).
• California Lutheran University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. California State University Fullerton is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Lutheran University 13:1; California State University Fullerton 26:1.

California Lutheran University vs. Cal State Fullerton Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California Lutheran University or Cal State Fullerton? 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 Fullerton than California Lutheran University ($7,064 vs. $32,774).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California Lutheran University are 11.9% lower than at California State University Fullerton ($16,810 vs. $19,080).
• California Lutheran University is 603.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State Fullerton (about $45,090 more per year; $52,560.00 vs. $7,470.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 161.9% higher at California Lutheran University than at California State University Fullerton (about $32,490 more per year; $52,560.00 vs. $20,070.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California Lutheran University than at California State University Fullerton (99% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Lutheran University students is 219.2% larger than aid received by California State University Fullerton students ($35,855 vs. $11,234).

California Lutheran University vs. Cal State Fullerton Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, California Lutheran University or Cal State Fullerton? 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 Cal State Fullerton and California Lutheran University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California Lutheran University (1240) is 150 points higher than at Cal State Fullerton (1090).
• Incoming California Lutheran University students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 20 at Cal State Fullerton).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Lutheran University 1150/1330; California State University Fullerton 1000/1180.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Lutheran University 24/31; California State University Fullerton 18/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California Lutheran University - Test optional; Cal State Fullerton - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California Lutheran University Jan 1, 2027; Cal State Fullerton Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Cal State Fullerton students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at California Lutheran University (3.73).
• Cal State Fullerton has a higher acceptance rate (90.5%) than California Lutheran University (75.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11% at California Lutheran University vs. 14.2% at Cal State Fullerton.

California Lutheran University vs. Cal State Fullerton Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California Lutheran University and Cal State Fullerton? 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 Fullerton's (50%).
• Graduates from California Lutheran University earn a median of about $8,900 more per year than Cal State Fullerton graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,900 vs. $49,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Fullerton graduates have a $8,000 lower median loan debt than California Lutheran University graduates ($15,000 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, Cal State Fullerton graduates have an estimated $82 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California Lutheran University graduates ($155 vs. $237).
• More California Lutheran University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cal State Fullerton students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 69%)

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.