California Lutheran University vs. Saint Joseph's University

Comparable Facts

Compare California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, CA with Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia in Philadelphia, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia is larger than California Lutheran University based on total student enrollment (7,159 students vs. 3,351 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Lutheran University is located in Thousand Oaks, CA (Midsize City setting); Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• California Lutheran University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Lutheran University 13:1; Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia 11:1.

California Lutheran University vs. Saint Joseph's University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California Lutheran University or Saint Joseph's University? 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 Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia than California Lutheran University ($31,205 vs. $32,774).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia are 3.4% lower than at California Lutheran University ($16,240 vs. $16,810).
• Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia is 1.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than California Lutheran University (about $700 more per year; $53,260.00 vs. $52,560.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.3% higher at Saint Joseph's University than at California Lutheran University (about $700 more per year; $53,260.00 vs. $52,560.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia than at California Lutheran University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia students is 3.1% larger than aid received by California Lutheran University students ($36,964 vs. $35,855).

California Lutheran University vs. Saint Joseph's University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, California Lutheran University or Saint Joseph's University? 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 Saint Joseph's University and California Lutheran University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia (1260) is 20 points higher than at California Lutheran University (1240).
• Incoming Saint Joseph's University students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 27 at California Lutheran University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Lutheran University 1150/1330; Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia 1170/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Lutheran University 24/31; Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia 28/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California Lutheran University - Test optional; Saint Joseph's University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: California Lutheran University Jan 1, 2027; Saint Joseph's University Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman California Lutheran University students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at Saint Joseph's University (3.65).
• Saint Joseph's University has a higher acceptance rate (88.8%) than California Lutheran University (75.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11% at California Lutheran University vs. 14.1% at Saint Joseph's University.

California Lutheran University vs. Saint Joseph's University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California Lutheran University and Saint Joseph's University? 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).

• Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia's six-year graduation rate (76%) is higher than California Lutheran University's (64%).
• Graduates from Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia earn a median of about $6,100 more per year than California Lutheran University graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,000 vs. $57,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California Lutheran University graduates have a $8 lower median loan debt than Saint Joseph's University graduates ($23,000 vs. $23,008).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia and California Lutheran University graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($237 vs. $237).
• More Saint Joseph's University 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.