California Lutheran University
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.
Located in Thousand Oaks, CA and set in a suburban environment, California Lutheran University is a private university. Its campus is 290 acres in size. This school uses a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 87%. The freshman retention rate at California Lutheran University is 81% and the six-year graduation rate is 74%.
The freshmen application deadline for this school is January 1. Read more about what you can expect if you get into California Lutheran University.
Quick Facts
2,513
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
87%
Acceptance Rate
$49,880
Tuition
10:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
74%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
You need to discover as much as you can about the entrance requirements of the institution in order to increase your chances of being accepted. How difficult is it to get admitted to California Lutheran University and what are the admission requirements?
According to the newest data, this school uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 4,490 in 2023. California Lutheran University has an official test-optional admission policy but considers standardized test scores for the applicants who choose to submit them. As far as admission difficulty is considered, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is moderately difficult to get into.
Test Scores
Out of the number of students who submitted test scores, the percentage of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students who submitted SAT scores was 14% and ACT scores 4%. 12% of the first-year students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 48.2% between 1,200 and 1,399, 34.9% between 1,000 and 1,199, and 4.8% of the students between 800 and 999. The percent of freshman students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 40, 48 between 24-29, 4 in the range between 18-23, and 8 between 12-17.
The ACT composite average score for all the admitted students in 2023 was 28 and the average GPA was 3.78. Therefore, the chances are that you'll need a GPA higher than the average for acceptance, and the same goes for your ACT score.
The new students had an average SAT Critical Reading score of 616 and an average SAT Math score of 612.
Deadlines
The last day for submitting applications to California Lutheran University is January 1.
87%
Acceptance Rate
Retention Rate
The student retention rate is the percentage of students who re-enroll from one year to the next. When you make your list of possible schools to attend, you should consider the freshman retention rate, among other things.
The freshman retention rate for California Lutheran University was 81% in 2023, which is considered an above-average retention rate and is indicative of the quality of educational experience at this school.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. It provides valuable insight into the percentage of students who complete their studies within a designated timeframe. The six-year graduation rate at this school is 74%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
It is never easy to figure out which school is the best fit for you. Knowing more about the student population can help you get a better idea of the school's culture and life.
Main Student Body
The total number of students enrolled at California Lutheran University in 2023 was 3,617.
That year, the institution had 13% of out-of-state students. There was a total of 2,513 students pursuing undergraduate degrees, including 74 international students. 205 students were accepted as transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 1,455 male and 1,908 female full-time students in 2023, which is indicative of the value gender equality has at this school. 316 full-time graduate men and 586 full-time graduate women attended this school.
Student Population Diversity
The significance of student diversity cannnot be denied, when it comes to the overall feeling of inclusion and beloning among the students of any school. Diversity promotes critical thinking, challenges preconceived notions, and encourages intellectual growth, so it helps students develop empathy and a broader understanding of the world. Learn more about all the ethnic communities you might encounter at this institution.
In 2023, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of Asian students was 138, while the number of African American students was 116. 1,005 undergrads at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 160 as multirace. The school also had 11 students who identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 4 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 44 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Financial planning for school is one of the most important things to consider before you apply. Here are some important information on California Lutheran University costs that most students encounter at this school.
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 $49,880 in 2023. California Lutheran University is a private institution, so tuition is the same for all the accepted students. Fees per academic year required of full-time students totaled $540 in 2023.
Books and Supplies
When you try to estimate the cost of attendance for a college or university, you need to take into account the cost of books and supplies you're going to need. The cost of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is estimated at about $1,152.
Boarding
Besides tuition, another cost to consider is the price of housing in the dorms and eating at the school cafeteria. What is the typical amount colleges and universities charge for lodging and meals?
In 2023, room and board cost at California Lutheran University amounted to $16,210 a year. The cost of a dorm room only at this school in 2023 reached $8,740 for one academic year.
| Tuition | $ 49,880 |
| Room and Board | $ 16,210 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,152 |
| Total Expense | $ 67,242 |
Financial Aid
Grants, loans, scholarships, work-study programs: these are all types of financial support available to students. Check out some recent data to get informed about need-based and non-need-based monetary aid you might get at California Lutheran University.
The most recent records show that 451 freshmen received some sort of financial help. Students of this school received an average of $37,544 in financial help.
Need-based
Need-based financial aid is exactly what it sounds like — it’s awarded based on the determined financial need.
1,714 students were designated 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 total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need came to be 1,720. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution summed up to $4,417,914, and state $6,630,290. The students of California Lutheran University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $46,186,041, and external in the amount of $395,802.
$25,013
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based aid is any type of financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid. Most students get non-need-based financial aid as Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the TEACH Grant.
286 students, including freshmen, got institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid at this school in 2023. 111 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 $17,330,874. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $61,694 USD.
Majors
Faculty
10:1
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.
In 2023, this ratio at California Lutheran University was 10:1. That means that there were 10 times more students than teachers at this school. The total number of faculty teaching at the institution is 253. Out of that number, there were 116 men and 137 women. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school is telling of the importance gender equality has at California Lutheran University.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
It is not all about learning and grades at California Lutheran University: campus life is a crucial component of your educational experience. Find out some details about students' life at California Lutheran University.
Student Organizations
Student organizations are run by students of an institution, and its membership usually consists exclusively of current students and/or alumni.
This school has 96 open-membership student organizations you can participate in. The most popular student organization is Multicultural Organizations, followed by Campus Ministry or other religiously affiliated organization and Service Organizations. Other popular organizations at California Lutheran University are Recreation or Club Sports related and Student Government.
For students with a talent for acting, there is a drama club. Interested in media and communication? California Lutheran University publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
At California Lutheran University, there are many amenities required for a comfortable and safe life on campus.
There are 24-hour emergency phone and alarm devices. The school's dormitory entrances are operated electronically. There is a security patrol that operates around the clock. The after-hours transportation/escort service is available.
There is a medical clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Veteran's Affairs and Women's Center 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 library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be a great asset for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
FAQ
-
California Lutheran University is located in Thousand Oaks, CA.
-
California Lutheran University offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
-
The overall full-time tuition per academic year for California Lutheran University is 49,880 USD, based on the most recent data.
-
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.
-
The most recent reported acceptance rate for California Lutheran University is 87%.
-
The most recent reported freshman retention rate for California Lutheran University is 81%.
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.
Find the best schools for you.
Need help with choosing grad school? We got you.
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.