Payback
EarningsPlus
Economic score
California Lutheran University is a private regional university located in Thousand Oaks, California. California Lutheran University is very inclusive in their admissions.
Return on educational investment at California Lutheran University is in the top 50% of all ranked schools. The median student earns $59,684 10 years after enrolling, 44th in California, and in the top 25% nationally. When adjusted for earning differences by major, California Lutheran University bachelor students earn 5% more than the national average. California Lutheran University is ranked 49th in California.
California Lutheran University’s median net annual cost of $27,410 and average years to graduate of 4.2 are reported only at the school level. We assume these same costs and graduation time for all programs.
The top 6 programs at California Lutheran University sorted by number of graduates - Business Administration, Psychology, Comms & Media Studies, Health & Fitness, Biology, Accounting - are shown below. To see more programs, click on "see additional programs".
Annual net cost
$27,410
Average years to graduate
4.2
Quantitative methods Mgmt.
Rank: #41
Economic score: 2.32
Computer Science
Rank: #219
Economic score: 2.91
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other
Rank: #2
Economic score: 3.25
Liberal Arts and Sciences
Rank: #157
Economic score: 7.46
Poli Sci/Government
Rank: #384
Economic score: 12.07
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology
Rank: #94
Economic score: 15.36
Sociology
Rank: #354
Economic score: 22.58
EarningPlus compares the three-year post graduate earnings to the median earnings of the same graduating class, with the same graduate degree. These 2 metrics, debt-to-earnings and EarningsPlus, are combined into an economic score. The lower the economic score the better.
The most popular 6 graduate programs at California Lutheran University - Business Administration, Student Counseling, Educ. Administration, Mental & Social Health Services, Finance, Clinical / Counseling Psych - are shown below. To see more programs, click on "see additional programs".
Special Education
Rank: #7
Economic score: 0.23
The average full-time graduate completes their degree in 4.2 years. 71% of all students graduate within 8 years including part-time students. The graduation rate at California Lutheran University is 4% higher than the state average, and 14% above the average for all regional universities in the country.
At California Lutheran University, Pell Grant recipients represent 32% of the measured graduating class, 3% lower than the national average of 35%. The average Pell Grant recipient at California Lutheran University graduates within 4.2 years.
California Lutheran University is in the top 50% of schools for graduating Pell recipients.
We calculate this performance by adjusting the graduation rate of Pell students by their percentage of the student body. This adjustment is made to prevent schools with large numbers of Pell students from underperforming in comparison to schools with few Pell students but high graduation rates.
California Lutheran University’s economic mobility score of 20.53 is calculated by adjusting the 2.77 economic score of lower-income students by the 32% pell grant recipients within the student body. California Lutheran University’s EMS of 20.53 ranks in the top 50% nationally.false
Economic Mobility
To calculate economic mobility of low-income (household earnings below $30,000) students, we adjust each institution’s economic score by their percentage of Pell Grant students. The logic of this Pell-adjusted calculation is derived from Third Way’s Economic Mobility Index (EMI).
Top 50%
The average Title IV recipient at California Lutheran University pays $27,410 a year, $37,282 less than the $64,692 advertised. See below the cost breakdown for students who receive Title IV grants, broken down by income level.
Average net price
The average net price shown by income level for all students that receive Title IV aid. Calculated by deducting the average grant and scholarship aid from tuition, fees, books, and room and board. Limited to first-time, full-time students. Public institution figures are calculated using in-state tuition figures.
Median net price $27,410
Much of the gap between net price and sticker price is filled by institutional and government grants. At California Lutheran University, 98% of students receive some grants and scholarships, compared to the national average of 87% for all colleges and universities. The average amount of federal, state, and institutional grants that students receive is shown on the right.
This leaves a total of $27,410 on average to be covered by the student – be it through loans or out of pocket. In total, 54% of students take out loans, federal or private, at an average amount of $7,524. This is equal to the national average.
Federal grants
$5,462
Pell grants
$4,989
State grants
$8,214
Institutional grants
$26,135
California Lutheran University offers 1 hybrid bachelor program. At the master’s level California Lutheran University offers 1 exclusively online program. We use the IPEDS July '20 — July '21 Distance Education report to determine which programs are online. EarningsPlus data is provided when available.
Online programs
2
Hybrid programs
1
Percentage of programs online
4%
California Lutheran University's very inclusive admissions are indicated by their 82% acceptance rate. In 2021, the school had 4,041 applicants, of which 3,311 were admitted and 492 enrolled. California Lutheran University doesn't have a rolling admissions policy, which means applications are reviewed after a hard admissions deadline.
Full time
94%
83%
Female
62%
59%
First time
55%
59%
In-state
82%
68%
1st generation
35%
35%
White
39%
52%
Black
4%
14%
Hispanic
39%
15%
Asian
5%
5%
American Indian
N/A
1.6%
Pacific Islander
1%
0.3%
Other
12%
12%