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California Lutheran University

Private

Thousand Oaks, CA

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California Lutheran University is a private small school in Thousand Oaks, CA, enrolling about 2,296 undergraduates. California Lutheran University is not highly selective, admitting a majority of applicants, with an acceptance rate near 76%. Its highest-earning reported major is Accounting and Related Services (Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services), where graduates report median earnings of $89,573/year four years out. Most students arrange their own housing since on-campus living isn't required.

Admissions

Admit rate76%
SAT range1150–1330
ACT range24–31
Undergrads2,296
Yield (admits who enroll)13%
Next deadlineNov 15, 2026 (EA)

Cost & outcomes

Cost of attendance$68,426
4-year grad rate72%
Median earnings, 10yr out$68,712

From the US Dept of Education College Scorecard, most recent year reported. Not every school reports every field.

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See full profile -- financial aid, campus life, and what California Lutheran University weighs in your application

Paying it back

Undergrads taking federal loans50%
Loan balance still growing, 3yrs out71%

"Still growing" means a borrower's payments aren't yet covering interest 3 years into repayment -- not a default rate. A high number here can mean real repayment difficulty, or just a lot of grads who deferred for graduate school, so read it alongside the school's typical outcomes above.

Majors & earnings

Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Biology, General$64,939/yr
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
Accounting and Related Services$89,573/yr
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods$83,310/yr
Business Administration, Management and Operations$76,916/yr
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other$68,806/yr
Communication and Media Studies$61,653/yr
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services
Computer Science$77,030/yr
English Language and Literature/Letters
English Language and Literature, General$52,428/yr
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services
Criminal Justice and Corrections$63,433/yr
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities$60,806/yr
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other$70,409/yr
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, and Fitness Studies
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness$59,820/yr
Psychology
Psychology, General$59,153/yr
Social Sciences
Sociology$67,998/yr
Political Science and Government$60,243/yr
Visual and Performing Arts
Music$32,316/yr

Median earnings 4 years after graduation, by major, from the US Dept of Education. Only shown where the school reports a real figure for that major -- most schools don't report every major they offer, especially smaller programs.

Campus life

On-campus housingYes
Required to live on campusNo
Dormitory capacity1,517
Typical room charge$8,375
Typical board charge$7,115

Room and board are shown separately from the cost of attendance above -- that total already includes them alongside tuition and fees, this just breaks out the living-cost portion.

What matters in your application

GPARequired
Class rankConsidered, not required
RecommendationsRequired

From this school's own reporting to the US Dept of Education on what it formally requires, considers, or doesn't use when reviewing applications.

Frequently asked questions

What is California Lutheran University's acceptance rate?

California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, CA admits approximately 76% of applicants, based on the US Dept of Education's most recently reported figures.

What SAT score do I need for California Lutheran University?

Admitted students at California Lutheran University typically score between 1150–1330 on the SAT (25th–75th percentile).

What ACT score do I need for California Lutheran University?

Admitted students at California Lutheran University typically score between 24–31 on the ACT (25th–75th percentile).

How much does California Lutheran University cost?

California Lutheran University's total cost of attendance is reported at $68,426 per year, including tuition, fees, and room and board.

When is the application deadline for California Lutheran University?

California Lutheran University's earliest deadline is Nov 15, 2026 (EA), per its own published admissions calendar.

Does California Lutheran University require students to live on campus?

No -- California Lutheran University doesn't require students to live in on-campus housing.

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