Academic Comparison between California Lutheran and San Francisco State

California Lutheran University and San Francisco State University are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. California Lutheran is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Thousand Oaks, CA and San Francisco State is a four-year, public school located in San Francisco, CA.

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • California Lutheran is a private (not-for-profit) and San Francisco State is a public school and both are four-year schools.
  • California Lutheran has more expensive tuition & fees ($52,560) than San Francisco State ($20,446).
  • It is harder to admit to California Lutheran than San Francisco State.
  • San Francisco State has more students with 22,563 students while California Lutheran has 3,351 students.
  • California Lutheran has a lower number of students per faculty with 13 to 1 while San Francisco State's ratio is 19 to 1.
  • San Francisco State has more full-time faculties with 797 faculties while California Lutheran has 182 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

California Lutheran Universityvs.San Francisco State University
Thousand Oaks, CaliforniaLocationSan Francisco, California
Four-year, Private (not-for-profit)School Typefour-year, Public
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Master's College and University (larger programs)Carnegie ClassificationResearch University (high research activity)
$52,5602025 Tuition & Fees
In-State$7,846
Out-Of-State$20,446
97%% Receiving Financial Aid63%
$31,632Average Amount of Financial Aid$12,110
75.67 %Acceptance Rates96.44 %
11.05 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)8.60 %
1,270SAT Score-
26ACT Score-
70 %Graduation Rate50 %
27 %Transfer-out Rate6 %
79 %Retention Rate83 %
3,351Student Population22,563
182Number of Faculties797
13 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio19 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycare