California Lutheran University vs. UCSD

Comparable Facts

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

University of California San Diego is larger than California Lutheran University based on total student enrollment (44,256 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 San Diego is in La Jolla, CA (Large City setting).
• California Lutheran University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California San Diego is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Lutheran University 13:1; University of California San Diego 19:1.

California Lutheran University vs. UCSD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California Lutheran University or UCSD? 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 San Diego than California Lutheran University ($14,047 vs. $32,774).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California Lutheran University are 11.4% lower than at University of California San Diego ($16,810 vs. $18,970).
• California Lutheran University is 213.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCSD (about $35,802 more per year; $52,560.00 vs. $16,758.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.1% higher at California Lutheran University than at University of California San Diego (about $1,602 more per year; $52,560.00 vs. $50,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California Lutheran University than at University of California San Diego (99% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Lutheran University students is 39.2% larger than aid received by University of California San Diego students ($35,855 vs. $25,757).

California Lutheran University vs. UCSD Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California San Diego (1380) is 140 points higher than at California Lutheran University (1240).
• Incoming UCSD students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 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 San Diego 1270/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Lutheran University 24/31; University of California San Diego 28/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California Lutheran University - Test optional; UCSD - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California Lutheran University Jan 1, 2027; UCSD Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UCSD students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at California Lutheran University (3.73).
• California Lutheran University has a higher acceptance rate (75.7%) than UCSD (26.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11% at California Lutheran University vs. 20.4% at UCSD.

California Lutheran University vs. UCSD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California Lutheran University and UCSD? 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 San Diego's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than California Lutheran University's (64%).
• Graduates from University of California San Diego earn a median of about $10,000 more per year than California Lutheran University graduates about ten years after starting college ($67,900 vs. $57,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California San Diego graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than California Lutheran University graduates ($18,500 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, UCSD graduates have an estimated $46 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California Lutheran University graduates ($191 vs. $237).
• More UCSD 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.