California Lutheran University vs. Florida Southern

Comparable Facts

Compare California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, CA with Florida Southern College in Lakeland, FL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California Lutheran University is larger than Florida Southern based on total student enrollment (3,351 students vs. 3,211 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Lutheran University is located in Thousand Oaks, CA (Midsize City setting); Florida Southern College is in Lakeland, FL (Small City setting).
• California Lutheran University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Florida Southern College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Lutheran University 13:1; Florida Southern College 11:1.

California Lutheran University vs. Florida Southern Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California Lutheran University or Florida Southern? 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 Florida Southern College than California Lutheran University ($29,384 vs. $32,774).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Florida Southern College are 14.6% lower than at California Lutheran University ($14,360 vs. $16,810).
• California Lutheran University is 19.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Florida Southern (about $8,520 more per year; $52,560.00 vs. $44,040.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19.3% higher at California Lutheran University than at Florida Southern College (about $8,520 more per year; $52,560.00 vs. $44,040.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Florida Southern College than at California Lutheran University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Lutheran University students is 14.2% larger than aid received by Florida Southern College students ($35,855 vs. $31,394).

California Lutheran University vs. Florida Southern Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California Lutheran University (1240) is the same as at Florida Southern (1240).
• Incoming California Lutheran University students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 27) as students at Florida Southern (27).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Lutheran University 1150/1330; Florida Southern College 1150/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Lutheran University 24/31; Florida Southern College 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California Lutheran University - Test optional; Florida Southern - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: California Lutheran University Jan 1, 2027; Florida Southern May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman California Lutheran University students have the same average high school GPA (3.73) as students at Florida Southern (3.73).
• California Lutheran University has a higher acceptance rate (75.7%) than Florida Southern (64.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11% at California Lutheran University vs. 11% at Florida Southern.

California Lutheran University vs. Florida Southern Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California Lutheran University and Florida Southern? 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 Florida Southern College's (55%).
• Graduates from California Lutheran University earn a median of about $15,200 more per year than Florida Southern graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,900 vs. $42,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California Lutheran University graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Florida Southern graduates ($23,000 vs. $24,000).
• Among borrowers, California Lutheran University graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Florida Southern graduates ($237 vs. $248).
• More California Lutheran University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Florida Southern students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 65%)

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.