Academic Comparison between California Lutheran University and SMC

California Lutheran University and Santa Monica College 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 SMC is a four-year, public school located in Santa Monica, 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 SMC is a public school and both are four-year schools.
  • California Lutheran University has more expensive tuition & fees ($50,670) than SMC ($9,316).
  • SMC has more students with 22,375 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 SMC's ratio is 26 to 1.
  • SMC has more full-time faculties with 327 faculties while California Lutheran University has 179 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

California Lutheran Universityvs.Santa Monica College
Thousand Oaks, CaliforniaLocationSanta Monica, California
Four-year, Private (not-for-profit)School Typefour-year, Public
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedBachelor's degree
Master's College and University (larger programs)Carnegie ClassificationAssociate's - Private For-profit 4-year Primarily Associate's
$50,6702024 Tuition & Fees
In-State$1,156
Out-Of-State$9,316
94%% Receiving Financial Aid52%
$29,756Average Amount of Financial Aid$3,332
88.88 %Acceptance Rates-
12.23 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)-
1,220SAT Score-
26ACT Score-
73 %Graduation Rate32 %
22 %Transfer-out Rate18 %
81 %Retention Rate-
3,615Student Population22,375
179Number of Faculties327
14 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio26 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services