California Lutheran University vs. University of Redlands

Deciding between California Lutheran University and University of Redlands? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

California Lutheran University
University of Redlands

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • California Lutheran University Thousand Oaks, CA
  • University of Redlands Redlands, CA
  • Setting
  • California Lutheran University Midsize City
  • University of Redlands Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • California Lutheran University 3,351
  • University of Redlands 3,087
  • Type
  • California Lutheran University Private 4 Year
  • University of Redlands Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • California Lutheran University #261
  • University of Redlands #238
  • Religious Affiliation
  • California Lutheran University Evangelical Lutheran Church
  • University of Redlands -
  • Status
  • California Lutheran University Non-profit
  • University of Redlands Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • California Lutheran University
  • University of Redlands
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • California Lutheran University $52,560
  • University of Redlands $60,878
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • California Lutheran University $52,560
  • University of Redlands $60,878
  • Room & Board
  • California Lutheran University $16,810
  • University of Redlands $18,208
  • Average Net Price
  • California Lutheran University $32,774
  • University of Redlands $28,482
  • Average Grant Aid
  • California Lutheran University $35,855
  • University of Redlands $48,134
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • California Lutheran University 99%
  • University of Redlands 98%
  • Admissions

  • Admission Chances
  • California Lutheran University Calculate
  • University of Redlands Calculate
  • Applied
  • California Lutheran University 6,005
  • University of Redlands 3,766
  • Admitted
  • California Lutheran University 4,544
  • University of Redlands 3,115
  • Acceptance Rate
  • California Lutheran University 75.7%
  • University of Redlands 82.7%
  • Enrolled
  • California Lutheran University 11%
  • University of Redlands 15.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • California Lutheran University 1240
  • University of Redlands 1230
  • Typical ACT score
  • California Lutheran University 27
  • University of Redlands 24
  • Average High School GPA
  • California Lutheran University 3.73
  • University of Redlands 3.74
  • Typical High School Grades
  • California Lutheran University A-
  • University of Redlands A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • California Lutheran University Difficult
  • University of Redlands Challenging
  • Applicant Competition
  • California Lutheran University
  • University of Redlands
  • ACT Range
  • California Lutheran University 24/31
  • University of Redlands 21/28
  • SAT Range
  • California Lutheran University 1150/1330
  • University of Redlands 1107/1350
  • Submit Test Scores
  • California Lutheran University Test optional
  • University of Redlands Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • California Lutheran University Jan 1, 2027
  • University of Redlands Jul 1, 2027
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • California Lutheran University 13:1
  • University of Redlands 10:1
  • Popular Majors
  • California Lutheran University
    • Business (27%)
    • Communication (13%)
    • Social Sciences (11%)
    • Psychology (9%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
  • University of Redlands
    • Business (44%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Psychology (6%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
    • Health Professions (6%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • California Lutheran University 64%
  • University of Redlands 70%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • California Lutheran University $57,900
  • University of Redlands $56,400
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • California Lutheran University 70%
  • University of Redlands 69%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • California Lutheran University $23,000
  • University of Redlands $28,500
  • Median Loan Payment
  • California Lutheran University $237
  • University of Redlands $294
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • California Lutheran University 41%
  • University of Redlands 40%
  • % Women
  • California Lutheran University 59%
  • University of Redlands 60%
  • Racial Diversity
  • California Lutheran University High
  • University of Redlands High
  • HBCU
  • California Lutheran University No
  • University of Redlands No
  • % White
  • California Lutheran University 49%
  • University of Redlands 48%
  • % Asian
  • California Lutheran University 6%
  • University of Redlands 6%
  • % Black
  • California Lutheran University 4%
  • University of Redlands 5%
  • % Hispanic
  • California Lutheran University 27%
  • University of Redlands 27%
  • % Native American
  • California Lutheran University 1%
  • University of Redlands 1%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • California Lutheran University 1%
  • University of Redlands 1%
  • % Two or More Races
  • California Lutheran University 5%
  • University of Redlands 5%
  • % International
  • California Lutheran University 4%
  • University of Redlands 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • California Lutheran University 4%
  • University of Redlands 8%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • California Lutheran University 82%
  • University of Redlands 76%
  • % Out-of-State
  • California Lutheran University 15%
  • University of Redlands 23%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • California Lutheran University Yes
  • University of Redlands Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • California Lutheran University No
  • University of Redlands No
  • Meal Plan
  • California Lutheran University Yes
  • University of Redlands Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • California Lutheran University Yes
  • University of Redlands Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • California Lutheran University No
  • University of Redlands No
  • Learn More
  • California Lutheran University Details
  • University of Redlands Details

Comparable Facts

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

California Lutheran University is larger than University of Redlands based on total student enrollment (3,351 students vs. 3,087 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • California Lutheran University is located in Thousand Oaks, CA (Midsize City setting); University of Redlands is in Redlands, CA (Small City setting).
  • California Lutheran University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Redlands is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: California Lutheran University 13:1; University of Redlands 10:1.

California Lutheran University vs. University of Redlands Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California Lutheran University or University of Redlands? 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 Redlands than California Lutheran University ($28,482 vs. $32,774).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California Lutheran University are 7.7% lower than at University of Redlands ($16,810 vs. $18,208).
  • University of Redlands is 15.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than California Lutheran University (about $8,318 more per year; $60,878.00 vs. $52,560.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 15.8% higher at University of Redlands than at California Lutheran University (about $8,318 more per year; $60,878.00 vs. $52,560.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at California Lutheran University than at University of Redlands (99% vs. 98%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Redlands students is 34.2% larger than aid received by California Lutheran University students ($48,134 vs. $35,855).

California Lutheran University vs. University of Redlands Admissions comparison

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

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California Lutheran University (1240) is 10 points higher than at University of Redlands (1230).
  • Incoming California Lutheran University students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 24 at University of Redlands).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Lutheran University 1150/1330; University of Redlands 1107/1350.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Lutheran University 24/31; University of Redlands 21/28.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California Lutheran University - Test optional; University of Redlands - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: California Lutheran University Jan 1, 2027; University of Redlands Jul 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman University of Redlands students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at California Lutheran University (3.73).
  • University of Redlands has a higher acceptance rate (82.7%) than California Lutheran University (75.7%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11% at California Lutheran University vs. 15.9% at University of Redlands.

California Lutheran University vs. University of Redlands Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California Lutheran University and University of Redlands? 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 Redlands's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than California Lutheran University's (64%).
  • Graduates from California Lutheran University earn a median of about $1,500 more per year than University of Redlands graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,900 vs. $56,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, California Lutheran University graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than University of Redlands graduates ($23,000 vs. $28,500).
  • Among borrowers, California Lutheran University graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Redlands graduates ($237 vs. $294).
  • More California Lutheran University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Redlands students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 69%)

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.