Academic Comparison between MiraCosta and California Lutheran

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

  • MiraCosta is a public and California Lutheran is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • California Lutheran has more expensive tuition & fees ($52,560) than MiraCosta ($9,750).
  • MiraCosta has more students with 11,478 students while California Lutheran has 3,351 students.
  • California Lutheran has a lower number of students per faculty with 13 to 1 while MiraCosta's ratio is 18 to 1.
  • California Lutheran has more full-time faculties with 182 faculties while MiraCosta has 159 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

MiraCosta Collegevs.California Lutheran University
Oceanside, CaliforniaLocationThousand Oaks, California
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Bachelor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Associate's - Private For-profit 4-year Primarily Associate'sCarnegie ClassificationMaster's College and University (larger programs)
In-State$1,158
Out-Of-State$9,750
2025 Tuition & Fees$52,560
56%% Receiving Financial Aid97%
$4,096Average Amount of Financial Aid$31,632
-Acceptance Rates75.67 %
-Yield (Enrollment Rates)11.05 %
-SAT Score1,270
-ACT Score26
41 %Graduation Rate70 %
10 %Transfer-out Rate27 %
91 %Retention Rate79 %
11,478Student Population3,351
159Number of Faculties182
18 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio13 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), Study AbroadSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, On-campus daycareOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services