California Lutheran University vs. UC Riverside

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Riverside is larger than California Lutheran University based on total student enrollment (26,384 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 Riverside is in Riverside, CA (Large City setting).
• California Lutheran University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California Riverside is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Lutheran University 13:1; University of California Riverside 22:1.

California Lutheran University vs. UC Riverside Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California Lutheran University or UC Riverside? 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 Riverside than California Lutheran University ($14,562 vs. $32,774).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California Lutheran University are 18.8% lower than at University of California Riverside ($16,810 vs. $20,691).
• California Lutheran University is 236.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC Riverside (about $36,954 more per year; $52,560.00 vs. $15,606.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.5% higher at California Lutheran University than at University of California Riverside (about $2,754 more per year; $52,560.00 vs. $49,806.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California Lutheran University than at University of California Riverside (99% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Lutheran University students is 47.2% larger than aid received by University of California Riverside students ($35,855 vs. $24,355).

California Lutheran University vs. UC Riverside Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California Lutheran University (1240) is 60 points higher than at UC Riverside (1180).
• Incoming California Lutheran University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 26 at UC Riverside).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Lutheran University 1150/1330; University of California Riverside 1080/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Lutheran University 24/31; University of California Riverside 22/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California Lutheran University - Test optional; UC Riverside - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California Lutheran University Jan 1, 2027; UC Riverside Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC Riverside students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at California Lutheran University (3.73).
• UC Riverside has a higher acceptance rate (76.4%) than California Lutheran University (75.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11% at California Lutheran University vs. 12.2% at UC Riverside.

California Lutheran University vs. UC Riverside Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California Lutheran University and UC Riverside? 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 Riverside's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than California Lutheran University's (64%).
• Graduates from California Lutheran University earn a median of about $5,700 more per year than UC Riverside graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,900 vs. $52,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Riverside graduates have a $3,891 lower median loan debt than California Lutheran University graduates ($19,109 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, UC Riverside graduates have an estimated $40 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California Lutheran University graduates ($197 vs. $237).
• More California Lutheran University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC Riverside students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 65%)

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.