The average acceptance rate at California Lutheran over the past 10 years is 74.95%, and the most recent acceptance rate is 75.67%. Compared to the previous year, it became much more competitive to gain admission to California Lutheran in 2025. The acceptance rate at California Lutheran is relatively high, giving applicants a greater chance of admission.
The average yield (enrollment rate) over the period is 14.19%, and the 2025 yield is 11.05%. Overall, the yield has decreased by 24.91% from 2015 to 2025.
The number of California Lutheran applicants increased by 13.52% (715 applicants) compared to the previous year. Over the entire 10-year period, applicants decreased by 8.59% overall.
The current acceptance rate for the 2025 admission cycle is 75.67%, showing a decreasing selectivity trend. This suggests that California Lutheran is admitting a higher proportion of applicants, which may indicate either an increase in application quality or a strategic enrollment decision by the institution.
The admission yield (the percentage of admitted students who enroll) for the 2025 academic year is 11.05%. The declining yield trend suggests that a lower percentage of admitted students are choosing to enroll at California Lutheran. This pattern may reflect increased competition from peer institutions, changing student demographics, or shifts in institutional enrollment strategy.
For the 2025 admission cycle, California Lutheran received approximately 6,005 applications, admitted 4,544 students, and enrolled 502 students. The declining application volume may indicate shifts in student interest patterns or broader demographic changes affecting college enrollment. Understanding these trends is crucial for prospective students and families assessing California Lutheran's position in the competitive admissions landscape.
California Lutheran 10-Year Admission Rate Summary: The acceptance rate trends at California Lutheran over the past decade show a relatively stable trend, with fluctuations in both directions. The average acceptance rate over this period is 74.95%, while the most recent rate stands at 75.67%. This data reflects the institution's evolving competitiveness in the higher education admissions landscape.
For the most recent admission cycle (2025), the acceptance rate is 75.67%. By gender, the average acceptance rate for men is 72.93% and for women is 76.46%.
The following table and chart show how acceptance rates at California Lutheran have changed over the past 10 years (2015-2025).
| Year | Total | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | 61.56% | 59.48% | 63.01% |
| 2016-17 | 64.19% 2.63% |
61.50% 2.02% |
66.04% 3.03% |
| 2017-18 | 72.75% 8.55% |
69.16% 7.66% |
75.43% 9.39% |
| 2018-19 | 71.47% -1.28% |
68.93% -0.23% |
73.36% -2.07% |
| 2019-20 | 71.42% -0.05% |
68.78% -0.15% |
73.31% -0.05% |
| 2020-21 | 74.39% 2.97% |
72.74% 3.96% |
75.62% 2.30% |
| 2021-22 | 82.01% 7.62% |
79.00% 6.26% |
83.99% 8.37% |
| 2022-23 | 87.18% 5.18% |
86.35% 7.35% |
87.82% 3.83% |
| 2023-24 | 88.88% 1.70% |
88.39% 2.03% |
89.58% 1.76% |
| 2024-25 | 75.67% -13.21% |
74.94% -13.45% |
76.40% -13.19% |
| Average | 74.95% | 72.93% | 76.46% |
California Lutheran has demonstrated a decline in admission yield over the past 10 years. The institution's yield rate has decreased from 14.71% in 2015 to 11.05% in 2025, representing a 24.91% decrease. The 10-year average yield stands at 14.19%, reflecting weakening enrollment performance.
The following table and chart illustrate the changes in yield at California Lutheran from 2015 to 2025. The admission yield has decreased by 24.91% over this period.
| Year | Total | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | 14.71% | 13.97% | 15.20% |
| 2016-17 | 16.53% 1.82% |
17.56% 3.59% |
15.87% 0.67% |
| 2017-18 | 15.31% -1.21% |
14.80% -2.76% |
15.67% -0.20% |
| 2018-19 | 16.57% 1.25% |
18.67% 3.86% |
15.10% -0.57% |
| 2019-20 | 14.67% -1.89% |
17.04% -1.62% |
13.07% -2.03% |
| 2020-21 | 12.46% -2.21% |
13.59% -3.45% |
11.65% -1.42% |
| 2021-22 | 15.00% 2.54% |
14.98% 1.39% |
15.01% 3.36% |
| 2022-23 | 13.41% -1.59% |
14.46% -0.52% |
12.62% -2.39% |
| 2023-24 | 12.23% -1.18% |
13.23% -1.23% |
11.39% -1.22% |
| 2024-25 | 11.05% -1.18% |
11.88% -1.35% |
10.44% -0.95% |
| Average | 14.19% | 15.02% | 13.60% |
Over the past 10 years, The average number of applicants is 5,581, the average number of admitted is 4,144, and the average number of first-year enrolled students is 584.
The number of California Lutheran applicants increased by 13.52% (715 applicants) compared to the previous year. Over the entire 10-year period, applicants decreased by 8.59% overall.
The following table and chart show the changes of applicants, admitted, and enrolled headcount at California Lutheran University from 2015 to 2025.
| Year | Applicants | Admitted | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | 6,569 | 4,044 | 595 |
| 2016-17 | 6,013 -8.46% |
3,860 -4.55% |
638 7.23% |
| 2017-18 | 5,251 -12.67% |
3,820 -1.04% |
585 -8.31% |
| 2018-19 | 5,752 9.54% |
4,111 7.62% |
681 16.41% |
| 2019-20 | 6,175 7.35% |
4,410 7.27% |
647 -4.99% |
| 2020-21 | 5,568 -9.83% |
4,142 -6.08% |
516 -20.25% |
| 2021-22 | 4,041 -27.42% |
3,314 -19.99% |
497 -3.68% |
| 2022-23 | 5,150 27.44% |
4,490 35.49% |
602 21.13% |
| 2023-24 | 5,290 2.72% |
4,702 4.72% |
575 -4.49% |
| 2024-25 | 6,005 13.52% |
4,544 -3.36% |
502 -12.70% |
| Average | 5,581 | 4,144 | 584 |
The following table compares California Lutheran University' acceptance rate to similar schools.
| 2024 | 2025 | Change % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| California Lutheran University | 88.88% | 75.67% | -14.86% |
| University of Southern California | 9.81% | 10.02% | -2.10% |
| University of the People | - | - | - |
| National University | - | - | - |
| Stanford University | 3.61% | 3.91% | -7.67% |
| California Baptist University | 84.88% | 73.57% | 15.37% |
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