California Lutheran University vs. Pacific

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

 California Lutheran University Pacific
Location Thousand Oaks, CA Forest Grove, OR
Setting Midsize City Large Suburban
Enrollment 3,413 3,479
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #359 #406
Religious Affiliation Evangelical Lutheran Church - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website callutheran.edu pacificu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 California Lutheran University Pacific
Tuition (In State) $49,880 $53,174
Tuition (Out of State) $49,880 $53,174
Room & Board $17,734 $15,058
Avg Net Price $27,080 $34,809
Avg Grant Aid $36,687 $34,521
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 97%

Admission

 California Lutheran University Pacific
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,290 2,817
Admitted 4,702 2,585
Acceptance Rate 88.9% 91.8%
Enrolled % 12.2% 15.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.73 3.73
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Difficult Average
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 23/29 17/28
SAT Range 1134/1320 990/1240
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 Aug 25, 2026

Academics

 California Lutheran University Pacific
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 9:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (27%)
  • Communication (13%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
  • Biology (13%)
  • Health Professions (11%)
  • Education (10%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)

Outcomes

 California Lutheran University Pacific
Graduation Rate 64% 61%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $57,900 $46,800
Making Student Loan Payments 70% 78%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,000 $26,156
Median Loan Payment $237 $270

Diversity

 California Lutheran University Pacific
% Men 10% 13%
% Women 20% 41%
Racial Diversity Very High High
HBCU No No
% White 49% 52%
% Black 4% 2%
% Hispanic 27% 13%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 1% 3%
% Two or More Races 5% 12%
% International 4% 2%
% Unknown Race 4% 4%

Students

 California Lutheran University Pacific
% In-State 80% 39%
% Out-of-State 16% 61%

Campus

 California Lutheran University Pacific
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

  • Pacific University is larger than than California Lutheran University based on total student enrollment (3,479 students vs. 3,413 students)

California Lutheran University vs. Pacific Cost Comparison

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

  • Pacific University is 6.6% more expensive to attend than California Lutheran University for in-state tuition ($53,174.00 vs. $49,880.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 6.6% higher at Pacific than California Lutheran University ($53,174.00 vs. $49,880.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at California Lutheran University than Pacific ($27,080 vs. $34,809)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific University are 17.8% lower than costs at California Lutheran University ($15,058 vs. $17,734)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at California Lutheran University than Pacific University (100% vs. 97%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by California Lutheran University students is 6.3% larger than aid received Pacific University ($36,687 vs. $34,521)

California Lutheran University vs. Pacific Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at California Lutheran University (1109) is 19 points higher than at Pacific (1090)
  • Incoming California Lutheran University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Pacific (24)
  • Accepted freshman California Lutheran University students have at the same average high school GPA (3.73) as students at Pacific (3.73)
  • Pacific has a higher acceptance rate (91.8%) than California Lutheran University (88.9%)

California Lutheran University vs. Pacific Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at California Lutheran University is higher than Pacific University (64% vs. 61%)
  • Graduates from California Lutheran University earn on average $11,100 more per year than Pacific graduates after ten years. ($57,900 vs. $46,800)
  • California Lutheran University students graduate with a $3,156 lower median federal student loan debt than Pacific graduates. ($23,000 vs. $26,156)
  • California Lutheran University graduates are paying $33 less per month on federal student loans than Pacific graduates. ($237 vs. $270)
  • More Pacific graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California Lutheran University students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 70%)

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