Academic Comparison between California Lutheran and SMC

California Lutheran University and Santa Monica College 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 SMC is a four-year, public school located in Santa Monica, 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 SMC is a public school and both are four-year schools.
  • California Lutheran has more expensive tuition & fees ($52,560) than SMC ($10,708).
  • SMC has more students with 23,453 students while California Lutheran has 3,351 students.
  • California Lutheran has a lower number of students per faculty with 13 to 1 while SMC's ratio is 27 to 1.
  • SMC has more full-time faculties with 349 faculties while California Lutheran has 182 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

California Lutheran Universityvs.Santa Monica College
Thousand Oaks, CaliforniaLocationSanta Monica, California
Four-year, Private (not-for-profit)School Typefour-year, Public
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedBachelor's degree
Master's College and University (larger programs)Carnegie ClassificationAssociate's - Private For-profit 4-year Primarily Associate's
$52,5602025 Tuition & Fees
In-State$1,156
Out-Of-State$10,708
97%% Receiving Financial Aid52%
$31,632Average Amount of Financial Aid$4,114
75.67 %Acceptance Rates-
11.05 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)-
1,270SAT Score-
26ACT Score-
70 %Graduation Rate36 %
27 %Transfer-out Rate15 %
79 %Retention Rate-
3,351Student Population23,453
182Number of Faculties349
13 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio27 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services