California Lutheran University vs. SPU

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

 California Lutheran University SPU
Location Thousand Oaks, CA Seattle, WA
Setting Midsize City Large City
Enrollment 3,615 3,118
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #347 #270
Religious Affiliation Evangelical Lutheran Church Free Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website callutheran.edu spu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 California Lutheran University SPU
Tuition (In State) $47,500 $36,504
Tuition (Out of State) $47,500 $36,504
Room & Board $15,490 $14,409
Avg Net Price $30,416 $26,549
Avg Grant Aid $30,597 $25,359
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 99%

Admission

 California Lutheran University SPU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,150 3,895
Admitted 4,490 3,533
Acceptance Rate 87.2% 90.7%
Enrolled % 13.4% 15.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.73 3.53
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Challenging
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 26/30 20/27
SAT Range 1150/1320 1080/1350
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 Jul 11, 2025

Academics

 California Lutheran University SPU
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (27%)
  • Communication (13%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Psychology (8%)

Outcomes

 California Lutheran University SPU
Graduation Rate 64% 74%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $57,900 $50,400
Making Student Loan Payments 70% 82%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,000 $25,603
Median Loan Payment $237 $264

Diversity

 California Lutheran University SPU
% Men 43% 31%
% Women 57% 69%
Racial Diversity Very High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 49% 61%
% Black 4% 4%
% Hispanic 27% 10%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 8%
% International 4% 4%
% Unknown Race 4% 1%

Students

 California Lutheran University SPU
% In-State 80% 71%
% Out-of-State 17% 26%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • California Lutheran University is larger than than SPU based on total student enrollment (3,615 students vs. 3,118 students)

California Lutheran University vs. SPU Cost Comparison

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

  • California Lutheran University is 30.1% more expensive to attend than SPU for in-state tuition ($47,500.00 vs. $36,504.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 30.1% higher at California Lutheran University than Seattle Pacific University ($47,500.00 vs. $36,504.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Seattle Pacific University than California Lutheran University ($26,549 vs. $30,416)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Seattle Pacific University are 7.5% lower than costs at California Lutheran University ($14,409 vs. $15,490)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at California Lutheran University as Seattle Pacific University (99% vs. 99%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by California Lutheran University students is 20.7% larger than aid received Seattle Pacific University ($30,597 vs. $25,359)

California Lutheran University vs. SPU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Seattle Pacific University (1145) is 36 points higher than at California Lutheran University (1109)
  • Incoming SPU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at California Lutheran University (25)
  • Accepted freshman California Lutheran University students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at SPU (3.53)
  • SPU has a higher acceptance rate (90.7%) than California Lutheran University (87.2%)

California Lutheran University vs. SPU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at SPU is higher than California Lutheran University (74% vs. 64%)
  • Graduates from California Lutheran University earn on average $7,500 more per year than SPU graduates after ten years. ($57,900 vs. $50,400)
  • California Lutheran University students graduate with a $2,603 lower median federal student loan debt than SPU graduates. ($23,000 vs. $25,603)
  • California Lutheran University graduates are paying $27 less per month on federal student loans than SPU graduates. ($237 vs. $264)
  • More SPU 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/