California Lutheran University vs. UCSB

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Santa Barbara is larger than California Lutheran University based on total student enrollment (26,133 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 Santa Barbara is in Santa Barbara, CA (Midsize Suburban setting).
• California Lutheran University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California Santa Barbara is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Lutheran University 13:1; University of California Santa Barbara 17:1.

California Lutheran University vs. UCSB Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California Lutheran University or UCSB? 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 Santa Barbara than California Lutheran University ($17,658 vs. $32,774).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California Lutheran University are 17.1% lower than at University of California Santa Barbara ($16,810 vs. $20,279).
• California Lutheran University is 220.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCSB (about $36,146 more per year; $52,560.00 vs. $16,414.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.8% higher at California Lutheran University than at University of California Santa Barbara (about $1,946 more per year; $52,560.00 vs. $50,614.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California Lutheran University than at University of California Santa Barbara (99% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Lutheran University students is 45.2% larger than aid received by University of California Santa Barbara students ($35,855 vs. $24,695).

California Lutheran University vs. UCSB Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Santa Barbara (1350) is 110 points higher than at California Lutheran University (1240).
• Incoming UCSB 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 Santa Barbara 1230/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Lutheran University 24/31; University of California Santa Barbara 28/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California Lutheran University - Test optional; UCSB - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California Lutheran University Jan 1, 2027; UCSB Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UCSB 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 UCSB (33%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11% at California Lutheran University vs. 13.8% at UCSB.

California Lutheran University vs. UCSB Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California Lutheran University and UCSB? 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 Santa Barbara's six-year graduation rate (80%) is higher than California Lutheran University's (64%).
• Graduates from University of California Santa Barbara earn a median of about $1,100 more per year than California Lutheran University graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,000 vs. $57,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Santa Barbara graduates have a $6,549 lower median loan debt than California Lutheran University graduates ($16,451 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, UCSB graduates have an estimated $67 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California Lutheran University graduates ($170 vs. $237).
• More UCSB graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California Lutheran University students, three years after graduation. (73% 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.