California Lutheran University vs. Westmont College

Comparable Facts

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

California Lutheran University is larger than Westmont College based on total student enrollment (3,351 students vs. 1,310 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

California Lutheran University vs. Westmont College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California Lutheran University or Westmont College? 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 Westmont College than California Lutheran University ($32,172 vs. $32,774).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California Lutheran University are 0.9% lower than at Westmont College ($16,810 vs. $16,960).
• Westmont College is 1.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than California Lutheran University (about $1,024 more per year; $53,584.00 vs. $52,560.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.9% higher at Westmont College than at California Lutheran University (about $1,024 more per year; $53,584.00 vs. $52,560.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Westmont College than at California Lutheran University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Westmont College students is 8.6% larger than aid received by California Lutheran University students ($38,956 vs. $35,855).

California Lutheran University vs. Westmont College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Westmont College (1350) is 110 points higher than at California Lutheran University (1240).
• Incoming Westmont College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 27 at California Lutheran University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Lutheran University 1150/1330; Westmont College 1240/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Lutheran University 24/31; Westmont College 25/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California Lutheran University - Test optional; Westmont College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: California Lutheran University Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman California Lutheran University students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at Westmont College (3.59).
• Westmont College has a higher acceptance rate (77%) than California Lutheran University (75.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11% at California Lutheran University vs. 15.9% at Westmont College.

California Lutheran University vs. Westmont College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California Lutheran University and Westmont College? 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).

• Westmont College's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than California Lutheran University's (64%).
• Graduates from California Lutheran University earn a median of about $3,300 more per year than Westmont College graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,900 vs. $54,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California Lutheran University graduates have a $2,123 lower median loan debt than Westmont College graduates ($23,000 vs. $25,123).
• Among borrowers, California Lutheran University graduates have an estimated $22 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Westmont College graduates ($237 vs. $259).
• More Westmont College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California Lutheran University students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.