California Lutheran University vs. Saint Mary's College of California

Comparable Facts

Compare California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, CA with Saint Mary's College of California in Moraga, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California Lutheran University is larger than Saint Mary's College of California based on total student enrollment (3,351 students vs. 2,734 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Lutheran University is located in Thousand Oaks, CA (Midsize City setting); Saint Mary's College of California is in Moraga, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• California Lutheran University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Saint Mary's College of California is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Lutheran University 13:1; Saint Mary's College of California 10:1.

California Lutheran University vs. Saint Mary's College of California Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California Lutheran University or Saint Mary's College of California? 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 Saint Mary's College of California ($32,774 vs. $35,332).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California Lutheran University are 4.5% lower than at Saint Mary's College of California ($16,810 vs. $17,600).
• Saint Mary's College of California is 10% more expensive for in-state tuition than California Lutheran University (about $5,243 more per year; $57,803.00 vs. $52,560.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10% higher at Saint Mary's College of California than at California Lutheran University (about $5,243 more per year; $57,803.00 vs. $52,560.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Saint Mary's College of California than at California Lutheran University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Mary's College of California students is 18.3% larger than aid received by California Lutheran University students ($42,407 vs. $35,855).

California Lutheran University vs. Saint Mary's College of California Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California Lutheran University (1240) is 80 points higher than at Saint Mary's College of California (1160).
• Incoming California Lutheran University students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 24 at Saint Mary's College of California).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Lutheran University 1150/1330; Saint Mary's College of California 1070/1253.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Lutheran University 24/31; Saint Mary's College of California 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California Lutheran University - Test optional; Saint Mary's College of California - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California Lutheran University Jan 1, 2027; Saint Mary's College of California Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman California Lutheran University students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at Saint Mary's College of California (3.6).
• Saint Mary's College of California has a higher acceptance rate (86.5%) than California Lutheran University (75.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11% at California Lutheran University vs. 9.5% at Saint Mary's College of California.

California Lutheran University vs. Saint Mary's College of California Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California Lutheran University and Saint Mary's College of California? 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).

• California Lutheran University's six-year graduation rate (64%) is higher than Saint Mary's College of California's (61%).
• Graduates from Saint Mary's College of California earn a median of about $8,900 more per year than California Lutheran University graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,800 vs. $57,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California Lutheran University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Saint Mary's College of California graduates ($23,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, California Lutheran University graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Saint Mary's College of California graduates ($237 vs. $258).
• More Saint Mary's College of California graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California Lutheran University students, three years after graduation. (71% 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.