California Lutheran University vs. Cal State Long Beach

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Long Beach is larger than California Lutheran University based on total student enrollment (42,003 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 Long Beach is in Long Beach, CA (Large City setting).
• California Lutheran University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. California State University Long Beach is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Lutheran University 13:1; California State University Long Beach 23:1.

California Lutheran University vs. Cal State Long Beach Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California Lutheran University or Cal State Long Beach? 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 Long Beach than California Lutheran University ($10,607 vs. $32,774).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Long Beach are 7.1% lower than at California Lutheran University ($15,612 vs. $16,810).
• California Lutheran University is 615.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State Long Beach (about $45,210 more per year; $52,560.00 vs. $7,350.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 163.5% higher at California Lutheran University than at California State University Long Beach (about $32,610 more per year; $52,560.00 vs. $19,950.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California Lutheran University than at California State University Long Beach (99% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Lutheran University students is 204% larger than aid received by California State University Long Beach students ($35,855 vs. $11,795).

California Lutheran University vs. Cal State Long Beach Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California Lutheran University (1240) is 110 points higher than at Cal State Long Beach (1130).
• Incoming California Lutheran University students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 23 at Cal State Long Beach).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Lutheran University 1150/1330; California State University Long Beach 1020/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Lutheran University 24/31; California State University Long Beach 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California Lutheran University - Test optional; Cal State Long Beach - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California Lutheran University Jan 1, 2027; Cal State Long Beach Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman California Lutheran University students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at Cal State Long Beach (3.7).
• California Lutheran University has a higher acceptance rate (75.7%) than Cal State Long Beach (46.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11% at California Lutheran University vs. 16.7% at Cal State Long Beach.

California Lutheran University vs. Cal State Long Beach Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California Lutheran University and Cal State Long Beach? 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 Long Beach's (54%).
• Graduates from California Lutheran University earn a median of about $6,800 more per year than Cal State Long Beach graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,900 vs. $51,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Long Beach graduates have a $8,000 lower median loan debt than California Lutheran University graduates ($15,000 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, Cal State Long Beach 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 Long Beach 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.