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Thousand Oaks , CA
California Lutheran University (CLU) is a private liberal arts university located in Thousand Oaks, California. Founded in 1959, CLU is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, emphasizing the integration of faith and learning. The university provides a nurturing and inclusive environment that focuses on intellectual exploration, character development, and social responsibility.
CLU offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs across various disciplines. The university's undergraduate programs include majors in fields such as business administration, psychology, biology, computer science, and communication. Additionally, CLU offers several pre-professional programs, including pre-law and pre-medicine. At the graduate level, the university offers master's degrees in areas such as education, psychology, business, and public policy, as well as a doctoral degree in educational leadership.
The campus of CLU spans over 225 acres and features state-of-the-art facilities, including modern academic buildings, laboratories, a library, and residential halls. The university emphasizes the importance of experiential learning, providing opportunities for internships, study abroad programs, and undergraduate research. Furthermore, CLU has a strong commitment to community service, encouraging students to engage in service learning projects and contribute to the local community. With its focus on academic excellence, spiritual growth, and social engagement, California Lutheran University offers a well-rounded education and prepares students for meaningful careers and a life of purpose.
California Lutheran University is a private university located in Thousand Oaks, CA and set in a suburban environment. This academic institution uses a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 75%. The freshman retention rate at California Lutheran University is 79% and the six-year graduation rate is 70%.
For freshmen, the application deadline for this school is January 1. For transfer students, the application deadline is June 15.
Explore this school's profile to find out all the essential things about California Lutheran University.
Quick Facts
2,297
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
$51,750
Tuition
13:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
70%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
In order to maximize your chances of getting admitted, you need to know as much as possible about the school's criteria for admission. Here are the most relevant facts you need to know about admission policy and requirements at California Lutheran University.
According to the most recent information reported, this school uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 4,544 in 2025. California Lutheran University has an official test-optional admission policy but takes into consideration standardized test scores if the applicant decides to submit them.
Test Scores
Out of the number of those who submitted test scores, the percentage of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students who submitted SAT scores was 7% and ACT scores 3%. 6% of the first-year students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 62% between 1,200 and 1,399, 25% between 1,000 and 1,199, and 8% between 800 and 999. The percent of freshmen who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 38, 38 between 24-29 and 25 in the range between 18-23.
The average ACT score for all the enrolled students in 2025 was 27 and the average GPA was 3.74. Accordingly, you'll probably need an above-average GPA in order to be granted acceptance, as well as an above-average ACT score.
The SAT Critical Reading average score was 625 for the enrolled first-year students, while the average SAT Math score was 605.
Deadlines
Be sure to apply to this school by January 1. If you are applying for a transfer, the application deadline is June 15.
Retention Rate
The percentage of first-year students at a college or university who stay on for their second year is known as the freshman retention rate. Why is that metric important? Because it tells you if the majority of freshmen enjoyed their first year at a school enough to come back.
As reported in 2025, the freshman retention rate for California Lutheran University was 79%, a clear indication of the excellence and value of the educational experience at this school.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. At this academic institution, the proportion of students graduating in six years is 70%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
It is always challenging to figure out which school is best for you. You can better understand the culture and life of the school by finding out more about the student body.
Main Student Body
In 2025, the institution had an enrollment of 3,351 students.
That year, the institution had 13.6% of students coming from another state. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the school was 2,297, 83 of which were international students. 162 students enrolled as transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 1,295 male and 1,805 female full-time students in 2025. This school had 316 full-time graduate male and 586 full-time graduate female students at this school.
Student Population Diversity
The importance of student diversity cannnot be denied, when it comes to the overall feeling of inclusion and beloning among the students of any school. In a diverse learning space, you will be exposed to people from different backgrounds, which promotes the feeling of inclusion and acceptance. Discover more about the many ethnic communities that go to this school.
In 2025, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of students of Asian origin was 127, while the number of African American students was 103. 941 undergrads at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 149 identified with more than one race. The school also had 10 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 3 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 55 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Before sending an application to any college or university, the financial component should be taken into account. The most recent data reported regarding the expenses for attending this school are detailed below.
Tuition and Fees
Wondering about tuition at California Lutheran University? Here is what you need to know.
As a full-time domestic student, you were required to pay tuition of $51,750 in 2025. As this is a private institution, there is no difference in tuition for out-of-state or international students. Fees per academic year required of full-time students summed up to $810 in 2025.
Books and Supplies
When you try to estimate the cost of attendance for a college or university, you need to think about the cost of books and supplies you're going to need. The estimated cost of books and supplies for a full-time student of this school is $420.
Boarding
The cost of dorm rooms and meals in the school's cafeteria is for sure something to take into consideration. What is the typical amount colleges and universities charge for room and board?
At California Lutheran University, the 2025 annual cost of room and board (on campus) was $16,810. The cost of a dorm room only at this school in 2025 amounted to $9,000 for one academic year.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 51,750 |
| Room and Board | $ 16,810 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 420 |
| Total Expense | $ 68,980 |
Financial Aid
Obtaining some financial help in forms of grants, loans, scholarships or work-study programs can be vital for finishing your studies. Check out some recent data to get informed about need-based and non-need-based monetary aid students could get at California Lutheran University.
The most recent figures show that financial help was given to 374 freshmen. The average financial aid package awarded to students reached $40,625.
Need-based
Need-based financial aid is exactly what it sounds like — it’s awarded based on the determined financial need.
1,471 students gained some form of need-based financial aid. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at California Lutheran University is available to international students. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was found to be 1,487. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution summed up to $528,355, and state $6,139,931. The students of California Lutheran University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $46,187,683, and external in the amount of $583,654.
$29,036
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Any financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid is considered non-need-based aid. The most popular forms of non-need-based financial aid for students are loans and grants, like Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
654 students, including freshmen, obtained institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid at this institution in 2025. 127 full-time freshmen were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $19,150,145. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. $207,408 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).
Majors
Faculty
13:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty or student-to-professor ratio is the number of students compared to the number of professors at a school.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at California Lutheran University was 13:1: that means 13 students per one teacher, which is considered a good ratio. This school has recently reported to have 408 faculty members. Out of that number, there were 196 male and 212 female faculty members. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school speaks volumes for gender equality at California Lutheran University.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Knowing what to expect out of campus life at a college or university can set you up for success. Check out some details about campus life at California Lutheran University.
Its campus is 225 acres in size.
Student Organizations
Being a member of a student organization will make you connect better with your fellow students and enjoy your college years more.
There are 96 student organizations and groups with open membership at this school. The student organization that gathers the largest number of students is Multicultural Organizations, followed by Campus Ministry or other religiously affiliated organization and Service Organizations. Other popular student organizations at this school are Recreation or Club Sports related and Student Government.
There is a drama club you can join if acting is something that interests you. Interested in media and communication? California Lutheran University publishes its own newspaper.
Student Services
California Lutheran University has a number of services needed for a comfortable and safe life on campus.
The dormitory entrances at the school are electronically controlled. The late-night transport/escort service is available.
There is a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Veteran's Affairs are available to the students of California Lutheran University.
All in all, campus life at California Lutheran University is rich and vibrant and provides everything most students need.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at California Lutheran University.
Career Counselling
At California Lutheran University, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a job bank and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students.
FAQ
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California Lutheran University is located in Thousand Oaks, CA.
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California Lutheran University offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
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The overall full-time tuition per academic year for California Lutheran University is 51,750 USD, based on the most recent data.
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This school has an official test-optional admission policy but makes use of SAT, SAT Subject Tests, ACT, or other standardized test scores in admission decisions for the candidates who choose to submit them.
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According to the latest information, the acceptance rate for California Lutheran University is 75%.
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The most recent reported freshman retention rate for California Lutheran University is 79%.
Contact Information
California Lutheran University
60 West Olsen Road
Thousand Oaks , CA
91360-2787
805 492-2411
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.