California Lutheran University vs. Elon

Should I go to California Lutheran University or Elon University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if California Lutheran University or Elon 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. Elon University comparison
California Lutheran University Elon University College 3 College 4
California Lutheran University Elon University
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Overview

California Lutheran University Elon
Location Thousand Oaks, CA Elon, NC
Setting Midsize City Small Suburban
Enrollment 3,413 7,207
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #359 #134
Religious Affiliation Evangelical Lutheran Church - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website callutheran.edu elon.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

California Lutheran University Elon
Tuition (In State) $49,880 $44,029
Tuition (Out of State) $49,880 $44,029
Room & Board $17,734 $14,478
Avg Net Price $27,080 $41,849
Avg Grant Aid $36,687 $17,523
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 69%

Admission

California Lutheran University Elon
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,290 18,791
Admitted 4,702 12,649
Acceptance Rate 88.9% 67.3%
Enrolled % 12.2% 13.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.73 3.65
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Challenging
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 23/29 23/28
SAT Range 1134/1320 1143/1305
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 Jan 10, 2026

Academics

California Lutheran University Elon
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 (22%)
  • Communication (19%)
  • Social Sciences (15%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)

Outcomes

California Lutheran University Elon
Graduation Rate 64% 82%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $57,900 $56,200
Making Student Loan Payments 70% 86%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,000 $23,250
Median Loan Payment $237 $240

Diversity

California Lutheran University Elon
% Men 10% 4%
% Women 20% 7%
Racial Diversity Very High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 49% 82%
% Black 4% 6%
% Hispanic 27% 5%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 2%
% International 4% 2%
% Unknown Race 4% 1%

Students

California Lutheran University Elon
% In-State 80% 18%
% Out-of-State 16% 80%

Campus

California Lutheran University Elon
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

  • Elon University is larger than than California Lutheran University based on total student enrollment (7,207 students vs. 3,413 students)

California Lutheran University vs. Elon Cost Comparison

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

  • California Lutheran University is 13.3% more expensive to attend than Elon for in-state tuition ($49,880.00 vs. $44,029.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 13.3% higher at California Lutheran University than Elon University ($49,880.00 vs. $44,029.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at California Lutheran University than Elon ($27,080 vs. $41,849)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Elon University are 22.5% lower than costs at California Lutheran University ($14,478 vs. $17,734)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at California Lutheran University than Elon University (100% vs. 69%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by California Lutheran University students is 109.4% larger than aid received Elon University ($36,687 vs. $17,523)

California Lutheran University vs. Elon Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Elon University (1211) is 102 points higher than at California Lutheran University (1109)
  • Incoming Elon students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (27) than students at California Lutheran University (25)
  • Accepted freshman California Lutheran University students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at Elon (3.65)
  • California Lutheran University has a higher acceptance rate (88.9%) than Elon (67.3%)

California Lutheran University vs. Elon Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, California Lutheran University or Elon? 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 Elon and California Lutheran University.

  • The graduation rate at Elon is higher than California Lutheran University (82% vs. 64%)
  • Graduates from California Lutheran University earn on average $1,700 more per year than Elon graduates after ten years. ($57,900 vs. $56,200)
  • California Lutheran University students graduate with a $250 lower median federal student loan debt than Elon graduates. ($23,000 vs. $23,250)
  • California Lutheran University graduates are paying $3 less per month on federal student loans than Elon graduates. ($237 vs. $240)
  • More Elon graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California Lutheran University students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 70%)

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