California Lutheran University vs. Spelman

Comparable Facts

Compare California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, CA with Spelman College in Atlanta, GA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Spelman College is larger than California Lutheran University based on total student enrollment (3,417 students vs. 3,351 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Lutheran University is located in Thousand Oaks, CA (Midsize City setting); Spelman College is in Atlanta, GA (Large City setting).
• California Lutheran University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Spelman College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Lutheran University 13:1; Spelman College 11:1.

California Lutheran University vs. Spelman Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California Lutheran University or Spelman? 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 Spelman ($32,774 vs. $40,354).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California Lutheran University are 7.1% lower than at Spelman College ($16,810 vs. $18,091).
• California Lutheran University is 66.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Spelman (about $21,004 more per year; $52,560.00 vs. $31,556.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 66.6% higher at California Lutheran University than at Spelman College (about $21,004 more per year; $52,560.00 vs. $31,556.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California Lutheran University than at Spelman College (99% vs. 96%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Lutheran University students is 237.8% larger than aid received by Spelman College students ($35,855 vs. $10,614).

California Lutheran University vs. Spelman Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, California Lutheran University or Spelman? 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 Spelman and California Lutheran University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California Lutheran University (1240) is 30 points higher than at Spelman (1210).
• Incoming California Lutheran University students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 25 at Spelman).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Lutheran University 1150/1330; Spelman College 1108/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Lutheran University 24/31; Spelman College 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California Lutheran University - Test optional; Spelman - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: California Lutheran University Jan 1, 2027; Spelman Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Spelman students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at California Lutheran University (3.73).
• California Lutheran University has a higher acceptance rate (75.7%) than Spelman (24.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11% at California Lutheran University vs. 23.6% at Spelman.

California Lutheran University vs. Spelman Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California Lutheran University and Spelman? 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).

• Spelman College's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than California Lutheran University's (64%).
• Graduates from California Lutheran University earn a median of about $6,600 more per year than Spelman graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,900 vs. $51,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California Lutheran University graduates have a $4,000 lower median loan debt than Spelman graduates ($23,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, California Lutheran University graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Spelman graduates ($237 vs. $279).
• More California Lutheran University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Spelman students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 47%)

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.