California Lutheran University vs. Quinnipiac

Comparable Facts

Compare California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, CA with Quinnipiac University in Hamden, CT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Quinnipiac University is larger than California Lutheran University based on total student enrollment (9,424 students vs. 3,351 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Lutheran University is located in Thousand Oaks, CA (Midsize City setting); Quinnipiac University is in Hamden, CT (Large Suburban setting).
• California Lutheran University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Quinnipiac University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Lutheran University 13:1; Quinnipiac University 12:1.

California Lutheran University vs. Quinnipiac Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California Lutheran University or Quinnipiac? 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 Lutheran University than Quinnipiac ($32,774 vs. $40,632).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California Lutheran University are 2.6% lower than at Quinnipiac University ($16,810 vs. $17,260).
• Quinnipiac University is 5.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than California Lutheran University (about $2,920 more per year; $55,480.00 vs. $52,560.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.6% higher at Quinnipiac than at California Lutheran University (about $2,920 more per year; $55,480.00 vs. $52,560.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Quinnipiac University than at California Lutheran University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Lutheran University students is 13.6% larger than aid received by Quinnipiac University students ($35,855 vs. $31,568).

California Lutheran University vs. Quinnipiac Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California Lutheran University (1240) is the same as at Quinnipiac (1240).
• Incoming California Lutheran University students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 27) as students at Quinnipiac (27).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Lutheran University 1150/1330; Quinnipiac University 1150/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Lutheran University 24/31; Quinnipiac University 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California Lutheran University - Test optional; Quinnipiac - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: California Lutheran University Jan 1, 2027; Quinnipiac Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman California Lutheran University students have a 0.34 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at Quinnipiac (3.39).
• California Lutheran University has a higher acceptance rate (75.7%) than Quinnipiac (72.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11% at California Lutheran University vs. 11.1% at Quinnipiac.

California Lutheran University vs. Quinnipiac Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California Lutheran University and Quinnipiac? 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).

• Quinnipiac University's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than California Lutheran University's (64%).
• Graduates from Quinnipiac University earn a median of about $7,600 more per year than California Lutheran University graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,500 vs. $57,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California Lutheran University graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than Quinnipiac graduates ($23,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, California Lutheran University graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Quinnipiac graduates ($237 vs. $268).
• More Quinnipiac graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California Lutheran University students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 70%)

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.