Academic Comparison between California Lutheran University and San Francisco State

California Lutheran University and San Francisco State University are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. California Lutheran University is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Thousand Oaks, CA and San Francisco State is a four-year, public school located in San Francisco, 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.

  • California Lutheran University is a private (not-for-profit) and San Francisco State is a public school and both are four-year schools.
  • California Lutheran University has more expensive tuition & fees ($50,670) than San Francisco State ($19,304).
  • It is harder to admit to California Lutheran University than San Francisco State.
  • San Francisco State has more students with 25,282 students while California Lutheran University has 3,615 students.
  • California Lutheran University has a lower number of students per faculty with 14 to 1 while San Francisco State's ratio is 19 to 1.
  • San Francisco State has more full-time faculties with 840 faculties while California Lutheran University has 179 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

California Lutheran Universityvs.San Francisco State University
Thousand Oaks, CaliforniaLocationSan Francisco, California
Four-year, Private (not-for-profit)School Typefour-year, Public
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Master's College and University (larger programs)Carnegie ClassificationResearch University (high research activity)
$50,6702024 Tuition & Fees
In-State$7,424
Out-Of-State$19,304
94%% Receiving Financial Aid60%
$29,756Average Amount of Financial Aid$8,914
88.88 %Acceptance Rates96.15 %
12.23 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)10.39 %
1,220SAT Score-
26ACT Score-
73 %Graduation Rate54 %
22 %Transfer-out Rate6 %
81 %Retention Rate85 %
3,615Student Population25,282
179Number of Faculties840
14 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio19 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycare