California Lutheran University vs. USF

Comparable Facts

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

University of San Francisco is larger than California Lutheran University based on total student enrollment (8,913 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 San Francisco is in San Francisco, CA (Large City setting).
• California Lutheran University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of San Francisco is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Lutheran University 13:1; University of San Francisco 11:1.

California Lutheran University vs. USF Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California Lutheran University or USF? 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 California Lutheran University than USF ($32,774 vs. $45,443).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California Lutheran University are 14.9% lower than at University of San Francisco ($16,810 vs. $19,764).
• University of San Francisco is 15.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than California Lutheran University (about $7,932 more per year; $60,492.00 vs. $52,560.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.1% higher at USF than at California Lutheran University (about $7,932 more per year; $60,492.00 vs. $52,560.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California Lutheran University than at University of San Francisco (99% vs. 95%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Lutheran University students is 3.3% larger than aid received by University of San Francisco students ($35,855 vs. $34,723).

California Lutheran University vs. USF Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of San Francisco (1290) is 50 points higher than at California Lutheran University (1240).
• Incoming California Lutheran University students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 27) as students at USF (27).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Lutheran University 1150/1330; University of San Francisco 1190/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Lutheran University 24/31; University of San Francisco 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California Lutheran University - Test optional; USF - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: California Lutheran University Jan 1, 2027; USF Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman California Lutheran University students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at USF (3.57).
• California Lutheran University has a higher acceptance rate (75.7%) than USF (61.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11% at California Lutheran University vs. 6% at USF.

California Lutheran University vs. USF Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California Lutheran University and USF? 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 San Francisco's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than California Lutheran University's (64%).
• Graduates from University of San Francisco earn a median of about $12,500 more per year than California Lutheran University graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,400 vs. $57,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California Lutheran University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than USF graduates ($23,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, California Lutheran University graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USF graduates ($237 vs. $258).
• More USF 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.