California Lutheran University vs. Rider University

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

California Lutheran University Rider University
Location Thousand Oaks, CA Lawrenceville, NJ
Setting Midsize City Large Suburban
Enrollment 3,615 4,054
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #347 #263
Religious Affiliation Evangelical Lutheran Church - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website callutheran.edu rider.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

California Lutheran University Rider University
Tuition (In State) $47,500 $36,000
Tuition (Out of State) $47,500 $36,000
Room & Board $15,490 $16,130
Avg Net Price $30,416 $26,388
Avg Grant Aid $30,597 $26,336
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 99%

Admission

California Lutheran University Rider University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,150 9,340
Admitted 4,490 7,858
Acceptance Rate 87.2% 84.1%
Enrolled % 13.4% 9.9%
Avg High School GPA 3.73 3.41
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Challenging
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 26/30 21/29
SAT Range 1150/1320 1100/1300
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, 2025

Academics

California Lutheran University Rider University
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 10:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (27%)
  • Communication (13%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
  • Business (34%)
  • Education (15%)
  • English and Literature (13%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)

Outcomes

California Lutheran University Rider University
Graduation Rate 64% 63%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $57,900 $53,000
Making Student Loan Payments 70% 73%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,000 $25,750
Median Loan Payment $237 $266

Diversity

California Lutheran University Rider University
% Men 43% 41%
% Women 57% 59%
Racial Diversity Very High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 49% 62%
% Black 4% 12%
% Hispanic 27% 12%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 3%
% International 4% 3%
% Unknown Race 4% 2%

Students

California Lutheran University Rider University
% In-State 80% 74%
% Out-of-State 17% 23%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Rider University is larger than than California Lutheran University based on total student enrollment (4,054 students vs. 3,615 students)

California Lutheran University vs. Rider University Cost Comparison

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

  • California Lutheran University is 31.9% more expensive to attend than Rider University for in-state tuition ($47,500.00 vs. $36,000.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 31.9% higher at California Lutheran University than Rider University ($47,500.00 vs. $36,000.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Rider University than California Lutheran University ($26,388 vs. $30,416)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California Lutheran University are 4.1% lower than costs at Rider University ($15,490 vs. $16,130)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at California Lutheran University as Rider University (99% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by California Lutheran University students is 16.2% larger than aid received Rider University ($30,597 vs. $26,336)

California Lutheran University vs. Rider University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at California Lutheran University (1109) is 95 points higher than at Rider University (1014)
  • Incoming California Lutheran University students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Rider University (22)
  • Accepted freshman California Lutheran University students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at Rider University (3.41)
  • California Lutheran University has a higher acceptance rate (87.2%) than Rider University (84.1%)

California Lutheran University vs. Rider University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at California Lutheran University is higher than Rider University (64% vs. 63%)
  • Graduates from California Lutheran University earn on average $4,900 more per year than Rider University graduates after ten years. ($57,900 vs. $53,000)
  • California Lutheran University students graduate with a $2,750 lower median federal student loan debt than Rider University graduates. ($23,000 vs. $25,750)
  • California Lutheran University graduates are paying $29 less per month on federal student loans than Rider University graduates. ($237 vs. $266)
  • More Rider University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California Lutheran University students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 70%)

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