Academic Comparison between UCSD and California Lutheran

University of California-San Diego and California Lutheran University are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. UCSD is a four-year, public school located in La Jolla, 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.

  • UCSD 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 UCSD ($47,676).
  • It is harder to admit to UCSD than California Lutheran.
  • UCSD has more students with 44,256 students while California Lutheran has 3,351 students.
  • California Lutheran has a lower number of students per faculty with 13 to 1 while UCSD's ratio is 19 to 1.
  • UCSD has more full-time faculties with 3,101 faculties while California Lutheran has 182 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

University of California-San Diegovs.California Lutheran University
La Jolla, CaliforniaLocationThousand Oaks, California
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Research University (very high research activity)Carnegie ClassificationMaster's College and University (larger programs)
In-State$15,788
Out-Of-State$47,676
2025 Tuition & Fees$52,560
59%% Receiving Financial Aid97%
$23,806Average Amount of Financial Aid$31,632
26.71 %Acceptance Rates75.67 %
20.41 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)11.05 %
-SAT Score1,270
-ACT Score26
86 %Graduation Rate70 %
4 %Transfer-out Rate27 %
94 %Retention Rate79 %
44,256Student Population3,351
3,101Number of Faculties182
19 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio13 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), 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