More selective than 47% of California colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class
13% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 2% sent ACT scores.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose California Lutheran University over other offers.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Applicants, admits and enrollment
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class (first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates). Newer counts arrive with the next IPEDS release.
California Lutheran University SAT and ACT scores
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted them, Fall 2024. A quarter scored below the 25th percentile and a quarter above the 75th. If your score is above the 75th, California Lutheran University is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.
| Test | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| SAT reading & writing | 590 | 670 |
| SAT math | 560 | 660 |
| ACT composite | 24 | 31 |
| SAT total (approx.) | 1150 | 1330 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.
California Lutheran University admissions year over year
| Entering class | Acceptance | SAT reading | SAT math | ACT | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 76% | 590–670 | 560–660 | 24–31 | College Scorecard |
| Fall 2023 | 89% | 577–660 | 557–660 | 23–29 | IPEDS |
Score ranges are the 25th–75th percentiles. Each year is kept as published; we add a year with every federal release.
How selective is California Lutheran University compared with other California colleges?
California Lutheran University has the 49th-lowest acceptance rate of 92 California colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Acceptance | Graduation | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45 | Mount Saint Mary's University | 73% | 53% | $21,413 |
| 46 | Biola University | 74% | 68% | $31,495 |
| 47 | Art Center College of Design | 75% | 79% | $48,661 |
| 48 | California State Polytechnic University-Pomona | 75% | 68% | $11,531 |
| 49 | California Lutheran University | 76% | 70% | $30,109 |
| 50 | University of California-Riverside | 76% | 76% | $14,304 |
| 51 | Southern California Institute of Architecture | 77% | 71% | $43,923 |
| 52 | Westmont College | 77% | 70% | $29,053 |
| 53 | John Paul the Great Catholic University | 80% | 64% | $34,666 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All California colleges →
Who enrolls at California Lutheran University
College Scorecard; IPEDS
California Lutheran University admissions questions
What is the California Lutheran University acceptance rate?
California Lutheran University accepts 76% of applicants, most. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 4,702 of 5,290 applicants were admitted.
Does California Lutheran University require the SAT or ACT?
California Lutheran University considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 13% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 2% submitted ACT scores.
What SAT score do you need for California Lutheran University?
The middle 50% of California Lutheran University enrolled first-year students scored 1150–1330 on the SAT and 24–31 on the ACT. A score above the upper number puts you in the top quarter of enrolled students; below the lower number puts you in the bottom quarter.
How many admitted students enroll at California Lutheran University?
12% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (575 of 4,702).
Is California Lutheran University getting harder to get into?
California Lutheran University accepted 76% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 89% for Fall 2023.
Is California Lutheran University the right fit for your family?
Get a free report comparing California Lutheran University with up to 4 other schools on what you'd actually pay, what graduates in your major earn, and how each fits your priorities.
Build my free reportCheck my chances of getting inWe never share your contact information.
Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to California Lutheran University overview