California Lutheran University vs. MCPHS

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

California Lutheran University MCPHS
Location Thousand Oaks, CA Boston, MA
Setting Midsize City Large City
Enrollment 3,413 6,321
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #359 #174
Religious Affiliation Evangelical Lutheran Church - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website callutheran.edu mcphs.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

California Lutheran University MCPHS
Tuition (In State) $49,880 $37,620
Tuition (Out of State) $49,880 $37,620
Room & Board $17,734 $23,988
Avg Net Price $27,080 $37,182
Avg Grant Aid $36,687 $22,249
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

California Lutheran University MCPHS
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,290 6,010
Admitted 4,702 5,121
Acceptance Rate 88.9% 85.2%
Enrolled % 12.2% 13.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.73 3.41
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Very High
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 23/29 23/33
SAT Range 1134/1320 1080/1340
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

Academics

California Lutheran University MCPHS
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (27%)
  • Communication (13%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
  • Health Professions (98%)
  • Psychology (1%)
  • Physical Sciences (0%)

Outcomes

California Lutheran University MCPHS
Graduation Rate 64% 69%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $57,900 $102,700
Making Student Loan Payments 70% 84%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,000 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $237 $279

Diversity

California Lutheran University MCPHS
% Men 10% 11%
% Women 20% 34%
Racial Diversity Very High Very High
HBCU No No
% White 49% 42%
% Black 4% 7%
% Hispanic 27% 5%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 1%
% International 4% 13%
% Unknown Race 4% 8%

Students

California Lutheran University MCPHS
% In-State 80% 63%
% Out-of-State 16% 37%

Campus

California Lutheran University MCPHS
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

  • Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences is larger than than California Lutheran University based on total student enrollment (6,321 students vs. 3,413 students)

California Lutheran University vs. MCPHS Cost Comparison

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

  • California Lutheran University is 32.6% more expensive to attend than MCPHS for in-state tuition ($49,880.00 vs. $37,620.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 32.6% higher at California Lutheran University than Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences ($49,880.00 vs. $37,620.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at California Lutheran University than MCPHS ($27,080 vs. $37,182)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California Lutheran University are 35.3% lower than costs at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences ($17,734 vs. $23,988)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at California Lutheran University as Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by California Lutheran University students is 64.9% larger than aid received Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences ($36,687 vs. $22,249)

California Lutheran University vs. MCPHS Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at California Lutheran University (1109) is 39 points higher than at MCPHS (1070)
  • Incoming California Lutheran University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at MCPHS (24)
  • Accepted freshman California Lutheran University students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at MCPHS (3.41)
  • California Lutheran University has a higher acceptance rate (88.9%) than MCPHS (85.2%)

California Lutheran University vs. MCPHS Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at MCPHS is higher than California Lutheran University (69% vs. 64%)
  • Graduates from Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences earn on average $44,800 more per year than California Lutheran University graduates after ten years. ($102,700 vs. $57,900)
  • California Lutheran University students graduate with a $4,000 lower median federal student loan debt than MCPHS graduates. ($23,000 vs. $27,000)
  • California Lutheran University graduates are paying $42 less per month on federal student loans than MCPHS graduates. ($237 vs. $279)
  • More MCPHS graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California Lutheran University students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 70%)

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