Academic Comparison between San Francisco State and California Lutheran

San Francisco State University and California Lutheran University are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. San Francisco State is a four-year, public school located in San Francisco, 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.

  • San Francisco State 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 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

San Francisco State Universityvs.California Lutheran University
San Francisco, CaliforniaLocationThousand Oaks, California
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Research University (high research activity)Carnegie ClassificationMaster's College and University (larger programs)
In-State$7,846
Out-Of-State$20,446
2025 Tuition & Fees$52,560
63%% Receiving Financial Aid97%
$12,110Average Amount of Financial Aid$31,632
96.44 %Acceptance Rates75.67 %
8.60 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)11.05 %
-SAT Score1,270
-ACT Score26
50 %Graduation Rate70 %
6 %Transfer-out Rate27 %
83 %Retention Rate79 %
22,563Student Population3,351
797Number of Faculties182
19 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio13 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycareOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services