Academic Comparison between UCSB and California Lutheran

University of California-Santa Barbara and California Lutheran University are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. UCSB is a four-year, public school located in Santa Barbara, 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.

  • UCSB 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 UCSB ($47,332).
  • It is harder to admit to UCSB than California Lutheran.
  • UCSB has more students with 26,133 students while California Lutheran has 3,351 students.
  • California Lutheran has a lower number of students per faculty with 13 to 1 while UCSB's ratio is 17 to 1.
  • UCSB has more full-time faculties with 1,109 faculties while California Lutheran has 182 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

University of California-Santa Barbaravs.California Lutheran University
Santa Barbara, 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$15,444
Out-Of-State$47,332
2025 Tuition & Fees$52,560
57%% Receiving Financial Aid97%
$20,405Average Amount of Financial Aid$31,632
32.97 %Acceptance Rates75.67 %
13.78 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)11.05 %
-SAT Score1,270
-ACT Score26
83 %Graduation Rate70 %
-Transfer-out Rate27 %
93 %Retention Rate79 %
26,133Student Population3,351
1,109Number of Faculties182
17 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