California Lutheran University vs. UCSC

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Santa Cruz is larger than California Lutheran University based on total student enrollment (19,938 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 Cruz is in Santa Cruz, CA (Small City setting).
• California Lutheran University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California Santa Cruz is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Lutheran University 13:1; University of California Santa Cruz 22:1.

California Lutheran University vs. UCSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California Lutheran University or UCSC? 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 Cruz than California Lutheran University ($18,059 vs. $32,774).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California Lutheran University are 15.7% lower than at University of California Santa Cruz ($16,810 vs. $19,948).
• California Lutheran University is 228.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCSC (about $36,555 more per year; $52,560.00 vs. $16,005.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.7% higher at California Lutheran University than at University of California Santa Cruz (about $2,355 more per year; $52,560.00 vs. $50,205.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California Lutheran University than at University of California Santa Cruz (99% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Lutheran University students is 57.4% larger than aid received by University of California Santa Cruz students ($35,855 vs. $22,774).

California Lutheran University vs. UCSC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Santa Cruz (1260) is 20 points higher than at California Lutheran University (1240).
• Incoming UCSC 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 Santa Cruz 1160/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Lutheran University 24/31; University of California Santa Cruz 25/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California Lutheran University - Test optional; UCSC - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California Lutheran University Jan 1, 2027; UCSC Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman California Lutheran University students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at UCSC (3.63).
• California Lutheran University has a higher acceptance rate (75.7%) than UCSC (65.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11% at California Lutheran University vs. 9.3% at UCSC.

California Lutheran University vs. UCSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California Lutheran University and UCSC? 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 Cruz's six-year graduation rate (73%) is higher than California Lutheran University's (64%).
• Graduates from California Lutheran University earn a median of about $7,500 more per year than UCSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,900 vs. $50,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Santa Cruz graduates have a $3,041 lower median loan debt than California Lutheran University graduates ($19,959 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, UCSC graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California Lutheran University graduates ($206 vs. $237).
• More UCSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California Lutheran University students, three years after graduation. (74% 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.