California Lutheran University vs. UT

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

 California Lutheran University UT
Location Thousand Oaks, CA Tampa, FL
Setting Midsize City Large City
Enrollment 3,413 11,054
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #359 #483
Religious Affiliation Evangelical Lutheran Church - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website callutheran.edu ut.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 California Lutheran University UT
Tuition (In State) $49,880 $31,162
Tuition (Out of State) $49,880 $31,162
Room & Board $17,734 $12,676
Avg Net Price $27,080 $35,975
Avg Grant Aid $36,687 $13,897
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 95%

Admission

 California Lutheran University UT
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 5,290 35,353
Admitted 4,702 14,469
Acceptance Rate 88.9% 40.9%
Enrolled % 12.2% 17.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.73 3.5
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Average
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 23/29 23/28
SAT Range 1134/1320 1070/1240
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, 2026

Academics

 California Lutheran University UT
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (27%)
  • Communication (13%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Psychology (9%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
  • Business (30%)
  • Communication (12%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (7%)

Outcomes

 California Lutheran University UT
Graduation Rate 64% 57%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $57,900 $51,800
Making Student Loan Payments 70% 66%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,000 $25,557
Median Loan Payment $237 $264

Diversity

 California Lutheran University UT
% Men 10% 4%
% Women 20% 5%
Racial Diversity Very High High
HBCU No No
% White 49% 59%
% Black 4% 5%
% Hispanic 27% 12%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 3%
% International 4% 11%
% Unknown Race 4% 8%

Students

 California Lutheran University UT
% In-State 80% 18%
% Out-of-State 16% 74%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • The University of Tampa is larger than than California Lutheran University based on total student enrollment (11,054 students vs. 3,413 students)

California Lutheran University vs. UT Cost Comparison

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

  • California Lutheran University is 60.1% more expensive to attend than UT for in-state tuition ($49,880.00 vs. $31,162.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 60.1% higher at California Lutheran University than The University of Tampa ($49,880.00 vs. $31,162.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at California Lutheran University than UT ($27,080 vs. $35,975)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Tampa are 39.9% lower than costs at California Lutheran University ($12,676 vs. $17,734)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at California Lutheran University than The University of Tampa (100% vs. 95%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by California Lutheran University students is 164% larger than aid received The University of Tampa ($36,687 vs. $13,897)

California Lutheran University vs. UT Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at California Lutheran University (1109) is 17 points higher than at UT (1092)
  • Incoming California Lutheran University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at UT (24)
  • Accepted freshman California Lutheran University students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at UT (3.5)
  • California Lutheran University has a higher acceptance rate (88.9%) than UT (40.9%)

California Lutheran University vs. UT Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

  • The graduation rate at California Lutheran University is higher than The University of Tampa (64% vs. 57%)
  • Graduates from California Lutheran University earn on average $6,100 more per year than UT graduates after ten years. ($57,900 vs. $51,800)
  • California Lutheran University students graduate with a $2,557 lower median federal student loan debt than UT graduates. ($23,000 vs. $25,557)
  • California Lutheran University graduates are paying $27 less per month on federal student loans than UT graduates. ($237 vs. $264)
  • More California Lutheran University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UT students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 66%)

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