California Lutheran University vs. California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt

Comparable Facts

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

California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is larger than California Lutheran University based on total student enrollment (6,237 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 Polytechnic University Humboldt is in Arcata, CA (Remote Town setting).
• California Lutheran University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. California State Polytechnic University Humboldt is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Lutheran University 13:1; California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 16:1.

California Lutheran University vs. California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California Lutheran University or California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt? 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 Polytechnic University Humboldt than California Lutheran University ($14,090 vs. $32,774).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt are 16% lower than at California Lutheran University ($14,118 vs. $16,810).
• California Lutheran University is 537.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (about $44,310 more per year; $52,560.00 vs. $8,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 152.1% higher at California Lutheran University than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (about $31,710 more per year; $52,560.00 vs. $20,850.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California Lutheran University than at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (99% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Lutheran University students is 233.6% larger than aid received by California State Polytechnic University Humboldt students ($35,855 vs. $10,748).

California Lutheran University vs. California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, California Lutheran University or California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt? 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 California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt and California Lutheran University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California Lutheran University (1240) is 160 points higher than at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (1080).
• Incoming California Lutheran University students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 21 at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Lutheran University 1150/1330; California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 970/1190.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Lutheran University 24/31; California State Polytechnic University Humboldt 17/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California Lutheran University - Test optional; California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California Lutheran University Jan 1, 2027; California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Apr 30, 2027.
• Accepted freshman California Lutheran University students have a 0.4 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (3.33).
• California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt has a higher acceptance rate (98.2%) than California Lutheran University (75.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11% at California Lutheran University vs. 5.9% at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt.

California Lutheran University vs. California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California Lutheran University and California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt? 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 Polytechnic University Humboldt's (40%).
• Graduates from California Lutheran University earn a median of about $18,900 more per year than California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,900 vs. $39,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State Polytechnic University Humboldt graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than California Lutheran University graduates ($19,500 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California Lutheran University graduates ($201 vs. $237).
• More California Lutheran University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 56%)

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.