California Lutheran University
Two ratings: the overall grade compares colleges the conventional way (outcomes, cost, resources, experience, reputation). The Outcome Rating asks what students earn: 60% wage-adjusted earnings 10 years after enrolling, 25% graduation, 15% retention. Methodology
Quick Stats
Earnings, Debt & Completion
What happens to students who enroll at California Lutheran University, from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
Typical debt at graduation equals about 32% of one year’s median earnings ten years after entry.
Earnings rank: 72nd percentile among bachelor’s-degree-focused colleges after a partial adjustment for local wage levels (CA wage index 1.21). This drives the Outcome Rating.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, retrieved Oct 2026. Earnings are for federally aided students who enrolled, whether or not they graduated.
Earnings by Major at California Lutheran University
Median pay of bachelor's degree graduates by field of study, and how each program ranks against every college reporting that major — by raw pay and adjusted for state wage levels. Same school, very different paychecks.
| Major | 1 yr after | 4 yrs after | vs. national | Rank (pay) | Rank (wage-adj.) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting and Related Services | $72,696 | $89,573 | +18% | #120 of 796 | #253 | $22,078 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $57,276 | $83,310 | -3% | #66 of 126 | #80 | $24,728 |
| Computer Science | $68,398 | $77,030 | -28% | #315 of 349 | #333 | $21,750 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $55,234 | $76,916 | +13% | #194 of 1176 | #407 | $23,000 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies | $23,879 | $70,409 | +26% | #26 of 207 | #41 | $22,875 |
| Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs | $34,432 | $68,806 | +24% | #3 of 22 | #8 | $24,250 |
| Sociology | — | $67,998 | +29% | #23 of 462 | #46 | — |
| Biology | $32,894 | $64,939 | +14% | #180 of 841 | #385 | $22,587 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $43,122 | $63,433 | +15% | #75 of 660 | #253 | $20,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $37,249 | $61,653 | +9% | #132 of 660 | #281 | $20,802 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $34,989 | $60,806 | +15% | #78 of 476 | #181 | $20,000 |
| Political Science and Government | $36,061 | $60,243 | -5% | #315 of 565 | #438 | $19,750 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | $33,818 | $59,820 | +10% | #128 of 610 | #310 | $24,000 |
| Psychology | $30,918 | $59,153 | +17% | #112 of 1027 | #277 | $23,000 |
| English Language and Literature | — | $52,428 | +8% | #187 of 576 | #328 | $24,000 |
| Music | $20,650 | $32,316 | -25% | #253 of 268 | #259 | $25,990 |
| Criminology | $31,963 | — | — | — | — | $18,250 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study data. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working; small programs are not reported.
The California Lutheran University Town Property Report
- Avg home value near campus: $1,020,157
- Avg rent near campus: $3,227/mo — vs ~$971/mo campus room rate
- Top nearby ZIP by cap rate: 90265 (2.8% cap, Malibu)
Get the free 1-page report: rent-vs-dorm math, the 3 best nearby ZIPs by yield, and the “kiddie condo” strategy parents use.
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🏆 Where California Lutheran University Ranks
Rankings based on Repit College Grade among schools offering each program.
Costs & Financial Aid
Tuition & Fees
| Category | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $49,880 | $49,880 |
| Room | $8,740 | |
| Board | $7,470 | |
| Total Cost (On-Campus) | $73,386 | $73,386 |
Financial Aid
Programs & Career Paths
Top Degree Programs
Programs ranked by number of degrees awarded annually.
Related Career Paths
Careers that graduates from California Lutheran University's top programs commonly pursue.
Student Demographics
👥 Race & Ethnicity
🏠 Living Arrangements
💻 Learning Mode
📊 Age Distribution
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at California Lutheran University?
How much does it cost to attend California Lutheran University?
What is the graduation rate at California Lutheran University?
Is California Lutheran University a good school?
- Outcomes (B+): Graduation and retention rates
- Affordability (F): Net cost and financial aid access
- Resources (C+): Class sizes and selectivity
- Experience (A): Campus life and learning format
- Prestige (D): Reputation and recognition
How many students attend California Lutheran University?
Deciding between a dorm and buying near campus? Run the numbers for California Lutheran University — four years of dorm costs vs. owning, including what you’d recover at resale. Buy vs Dorm calculator →
🎓 Similar Colleges to California Lutheran University
Compare with other 4-Year private non-profit institutions of similar size.
Data source: IPEDS 2023-24 | Last updated: October 2026 | Methodology