California Lutheran University vs. San Diego State

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

California Lutheran University San Diego State
Location Thousand Oaks, CA San Diego, CA
Setting Midsize City Large City
Enrollment 3,615 37,402
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #347 #337
Religious Affiliation Evangelical Lutheran Church - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website callutheran.edu sdsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

California Lutheran University San Diego State
Tuition (In State) $47,500 $5,742
Tuition (Out of State) $47,500 $17,622
Room & Board $15,490 $19,714
Avg Net Price $30,416 $13,017
Avg Grant Aid $30,597 $9,934
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 43%

Admission

California Lutheran University San Diego State
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,150 77,250
Admitted 4,490 30,331
Acceptance Rate 87.2% 39.3%
Enrolled % 13.4% 21.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.73 3.82
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Difficult Challenging
Applicant Competition High
ACT Range 26/30 22/29
SAT Range 1150/1320 1090/1300
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Jan 1, 2025 Nov 30, 2024

Academics

California Lutheran University San Diego State
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 25:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (27%)
  • Communication (13%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • English and Literature (7%)
  • Health Professions (7%)

Outcomes

California Lutheran University San Diego State
Graduation Rate 64% 66%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $57,900 $53,400
Making Student Loan Payments 70% 65%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,000 $15,349
Median Loan Payment $237 $158

Diversity

California Lutheran University San Diego State
% Men 43% 42%
% Women 57% 58%
Racial Diversity Very High Very High
HBCU No No
% White 49% 34%
% Black 4% 4%
% Hispanic 27% 31%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 7%
% International 4% 6%
% Unknown Race 4% 4%

Students

California Lutheran University San Diego State
% In-State 80% 77%
% Out-of-State 17% 21%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • San Diego State University is larger than than California Lutheran University based on total student enrollment (37,402 students vs. 3,615 students)

California Lutheran University vs. San Diego State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California Lutheran University or San Diego State?

  • California Lutheran University is 727.2% more expensive to attend than San Diego State for in-state tuition ($47,500.00 vs. $5,742.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 169.5% higher at California Lutheran University than San Diego State University ($47,500.00 vs. $17,622.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at San Diego State University than California Lutheran University ($13,017 vs. $30,416)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California Lutheran University are 27.3% lower than costs at San Diego State University ($15,490 vs. $19,714)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at California Lutheran University than San Diego State University (99% vs. 43%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by California Lutheran University students is 208% larger than aid received San Diego State University ($30,597 vs. $9,934)

California Lutheran University vs. San Diego State Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at San Diego State University (1130) is 21 points higher than at California Lutheran University (1109)
  • Incoming California Lutheran University students have at the same average ACT score (25) as students at San Diego State (25)
  • Accepted freshman San Diego State students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at California Lutheran University (3.73)
  • California Lutheran University has a higher acceptance rate (87.2%) than San Diego State (39.3%)

California Lutheran University vs. San Diego State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, California Lutheran University or San Diego State? 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 San Diego State and California Lutheran University.

  • The graduation rate at San Diego State is higher than California Lutheran University (66% vs. 64%)
  • Graduates from California Lutheran University earn on average $4,500 more per year than San Diego State graduates after ten years. ($57,900 vs. $53,400)
  • San Diego State University students graduate with a $7,651 lower median federal student loan debt than California Lutheran University graduates. ($15,349 vs. $23,000)
  • San Diego State graduates are paying $79 less per month on federal student loans than California Lutheran University graduates. ($158 vs. $237)
  • More California Lutheran University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former San Diego State students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 65%)

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