California Lutheran University vs. Messiah College

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

 California Lutheran University Messiah College
Location Thousand Oaks, CA Grantham, PA
Setting Midsize City Large Suburban
Enrollment 3,413 3,344
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #359 #362
Religious Affiliation Evangelical Lutheran Church Interdenominational - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website callutheran.edu messiah.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 California Lutheran University Messiah College
Tuition (In State) $49,880 $39,700
Tuition (Out of State) $49,880 $39,700
Room & Board $17,734 $11,910
Avg Net Price $27,080 $29,882
Avg Grant Aid $36,687 $24,223
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

 California Lutheran University Messiah College
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,290 2,375
Admitted 4,702 1,864
Acceptance Rate 88.9% 78.5%
Enrolled % 12.2% 32%
Avg High School GPA 3.73 3.8
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Difficult Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 23/29 22/30
SAT Range 1134/1320 1100/1340
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 Messiah College
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (27%)
  • Communication (13%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
  • Education (19%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Health Professions (10%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Biology (6%)

Outcomes

 California Lutheran University Messiah College
Graduation Rate 64% 74%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $57,900 $48,600
Making Student Loan Payments 70% 85%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,000 $25,989
Median Loan Payment $237 $268

Diversity

 California Lutheran University Messiah College
% Men 10% 6%
% Women 20% 17%
Racial Diversity Very High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 49% 83%
% Black 4% 3%
% Hispanic 27% 4%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 3%
% International 4% 4%
% Unknown Race 4% 1%

Students

 California Lutheran University Messiah College
% In-State 80% 63%
% Out-of-State 16% 36%

Campus

 California Lutheran University Messiah College
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • California Lutheran University is larger than than Messiah College based on total student enrollment (3,413 students vs. 3,344 students)

California Lutheran University vs. Messiah College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California Lutheran University or Messiah College?

  • California Lutheran University is 25.6% more expensive to attend than Messiah College for in-state tuition ($49,880.00 vs. $39,700.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 25.6% higher at California Lutheran University than Messiah College ($49,880.00 vs. $39,700.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at California Lutheran University than Messiah College ($27,080 vs. $29,882)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Messiah College are 48.9% lower than costs at California Lutheran University ($11,910 vs. $17,734)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at California Lutheran University as Messiah College (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by California Lutheran University students is 51.5% larger than aid received Messiah College ($36,687 vs. $24,223)

California Lutheran University vs. Messiah College Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Messiah College (1129) is 20 points higher than at California Lutheran University (1109)
  • Incoming California Lutheran University students have at the same average ACT score (25) as students at Messiah College (25)
  • Accepted freshman Messiah College students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at California Lutheran University (3.73)
  • California Lutheran University has a higher acceptance rate (88.9%) than Messiah College (78.5%)

California Lutheran University vs. Messiah College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, California Lutheran University or Messiah College? 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 Messiah College and California Lutheran University.

  • The graduation rate at Messiah College is higher than California Lutheran University (74% vs. 64%)
  • Graduates from California Lutheran University earn on average $9,300 more per year than Messiah College graduates after ten years. ($57,900 vs. $48,600)
  • California Lutheran University students graduate with a $2,989 lower median federal student loan debt than Messiah College graduates. ($23,000 vs. $25,989)
  • California Lutheran University graduates are paying $31 less per month on federal student loans than Messiah College graduates. ($237 vs. $268)
  • More Messiah College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California Lutheran University students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 70%)

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