California Lutheran University vs. UCI

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Irvine is larger than California Lutheran University based on total student enrollment (37,297 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 Irvine is in Irvine, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• California Lutheran University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California Irvine is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Lutheran University 13:1; University of California Irvine 19:1.

California Lutheran University vs. UCI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California Lutheran University or UCI? 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 Irvine than California Lutheran University ($15,889 vs. $32,774).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California Lutheran University are 11.5% lower than at University of California Irvine ($16,810 vs. $18,991).
• California Lutheran University is 234.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCI (about $36,838 more per year; $52,560.00 vs. $15,722.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.3% higher at California Lutheran University than at University of California Irvine (about $2,638 more per year; $52,560.00 vs. $49,922.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California Lutheran University than at University of California Irvine (99% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Lutheran University students is 55.1% larger than aid received by University of California Irvine students ($35,855 vs. $23,110).

California Lutheran University vs. UCI Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Irvine (1330) is 90 points higher than at California Lutheran University (1240).
• Incoming UCI 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 Irvine 1230/1430.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Lutheran University 24/31; University of California Irvine 26/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California Lutheran University - Test optional; UCI - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California Lutheran University Jan 1, 2027; UCI Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UCI 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 UCI (28.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11% at California Lutheran University vs. 19.2% at UCI.

California Lutheran University vs. UCI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California Lutheran University and UCI? 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 Irvine's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than California Lutheran University's (64%).
• Graduates from University of California Irvine earn a median of about $3,900 more per year than California Lutheran University graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,800 vs. $57,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Irvine graduates have a $6,000 lower median loan debt than California Lutheran University graduates ($17,000 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, UCI graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California Lutheran University graduates ($175 vs. $237).
• More UCI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California Lutheran University students, three years after graduation. (76% 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.