California Lutheran University vs. UC Davis

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Davis is larger than California Lutheran University based on total student enrollment (40,065 students vs. 3,351 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Lutheran University is located in Thousand Oaks, CA (Midsize City setting); University of California Davis is in Davis, CA (Small Suburban setting).
• California Lutheran University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California Davis is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Lutheran University 13:1; University of California Davis 22:1.

California Lutheran University vs. UC Davis Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California Lutheran University or UC Davis? 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 University of California Davis than California Lutheran University ($17,270 vs. $32,774).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California Lutheran University are 13.5% lower than at University of California Davis ($16,810 vs. $19,426).
• California Lutheran University is 213.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC Davis (about $35,786 more per year; $52,560.00 vs. $16,774.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.1% higher at California Lutheran University than at University of California Davis (about $1,586 more per year; $52,560.00 vs. $50,974.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California Lutheran University than at University of California Davis (99% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Lutheran University students is 45.8% larger than aid received by University of California Davis students ($35,855 vs. $24,591).

California Lutheran University vs. UC Davis Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Davis (1280) is 40 points higher than at California Lutheran University (1240).
• Incoming UC Davis students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 27 at California Lutheran University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Lutheran University 1150/1330; University of California Davis 1160/1400.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Lutheran University 24/31; University of California Davis 25/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California Lutheran University - Test optional; UC Davis - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California Lutheran University Jan 1, 2027; UC Davis Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC Davis students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at California Lutheran University (3.73).
• California Lutheran University has a higher acceptance rate (75.7%) than UC Davis (41.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11% at California Lutheran University vs. 16.4% at UC Davis.

California Lutheran University vs. UC Davis Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• University of California Davis's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than California Lutheran University's (64%).
• Graduates from University of California Davis earn a median of about $7,300 more per year than California Lutheran University graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,200 vs. $57,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Davis graduates have a $8,324 lower median loan debt than California Lutheran University graduates ($14,676 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, UC Davis graduates have an estimated $86 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California Lutheran University graduates ($151 vs. $237).
• More UC Davis 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.