California Lutheran University tuition, cost & net price

The sticker price at California Lutheran University is $68,426 a year. After grants and scholarships, students receiving federal aid pay $30,109 on average, and what your family pays depends mostly on income. Choose yours below.

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What your family pays
$30,109 /yr

Average after grants for all families receiving federal aid. Pick your income above.

Sticker price $68,426. College Scorecard.

Net price by family income

Average after grants and scholarships for students receiving federal aid. Tap your band.

College Scorecard, latest reported year

Sticker price, line by line

Per year, living on campusAll students
Tuition & fees$52,560
Housing & meals$17,734
Books & supplies$936
Personal & travel$4,046
Living-at-home adjustment−$6,850
Total cost of attendance$68,426

Cost items: IPEDS 2023-24, on-campus budget. Total: College Scorecard, which averages students living on and off campus; the adjustment row reconciles the two.

Debt after graduation

Median federal loan debt$18,970
Loan default rate2.7%3-year rate, 2017 repayment cohort
Debt as a share of earnings 10 years out28%

College Scorecard; Urban Institute Education Data Portal

Who gets aid

Students with Pell Grants31%Federal grants for lower-income students
Grants for the average aided student$38,317Sticker price minus average net price

State aid: California residents who meet income, asset and GPA standards may receive a Cal Grant (California Student Aid Commission); apply with the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application. Not included in the prices above. California Student Aid Commission

College Scorecard

California Lutheran University net price compared with other California colleges

California Lutheran University has the 84th-lowest average net price of 115 California colleges we cover. Schools around it:

RankCollegeAvg. net priceGraduationEarnings, 10 yrs
80Claremont McKenna College$28,84991%$104,736
81Westmont College$29,05370%$64,778
82Hope International University$29,31049%$49,697
83University of Redlands$30,03167%$72,690
84California Lutheran University$30,10970%$68,712
85University of San Diego$30,36584%$86,522
86Saint Mary's College of California$30,37870%$78,812
87Menlo College$31,10054%$76,419
88Biola University$31,49568%$56,778

College Scorecard, latest year. Average for all aided students; your price depends on income. All California colleges →

Why California Lutheran University costs more or less than similar schools

SchoolAcceptanceYou'd payGraduationEarnings, 10 yrsPrice gap
California Lutheran University76%$30,10970%$68,712This school
Westmont College77%$29,05370%$64,778
Art Center College of Design75%$48,66179%$71,958
University of Redlands83%$30,03167%$72,690
Biola University74%$31,49568%$56,778

College Scorecard, latest reported year. “You'd pay” follows your residency and income choices above.

Why the price is different

California Lutheran University would cost you $1,056 more per year than Westmont College, on average.

  • Lower sticker price at California Lutheran University, mostly from more California Lutheran University students living at home, which lowers its average (−$5,056).
  • Westmont College gives aided families $3,780 more in grants, on average.
Per year, California residentCalifornia Lutheran UniversityWestmont CollegeDifference
Tuition & fees$52,560$53,584−$1,024
Books & supplies$936$1,600−$664
Housing & meals$17,734$16,360+$1,374
Personal & travel$4,046$1,400+$2,646
Living-at-home adjustment−$6,850−$1,794−$5,056
Sticker price$68,426$71,150−$2,724
Average grants−$38,317−$42,097+$3,780
You pay$30,109$29,053+$1,056

“+” means California Lutheran University costs more; “−” means it costs less. Grants are the sticker price minus the net price. Cost items: IPEDS, on-campus budget. Sticker and net price: College Scorecard, latest reported year; the adjustment reconciles the two. Net price is an average for first-time, full-time students receiving federal aid, not a quote.

California Lutheran University cost questions

How much is tuition at California Lutheran University?

Tuition and fees are $52,560 a year.

What is the total cost of attending California Lutheran University?

The total cost of attendance, including housing, meals, books and personal costs, is $68,426 a year.

What do families actually pay at California Lutheran University?

After grants and scholarships, students receiving federal aid pay $30,109 a year on average. Families earning $0–30k pay $22,161; $48–75k pay $24,318; $110k+ pay $38,364.

How much debt do California Lutheran University graduates have?

The median federal loan debt at graduation is $18,970, and 2.7% of borrowers defaulted within three years of entering repayment (2017 cohort).

Is California Lutheran University the right fit for your family?

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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS; Urban Institute Education Data Portal (ODC-By). Net price is an average for first-time, full-time students receiving federal aid, not a quote; confirm with the school's net price calculator. Back to California Lutheran University overview