Academic Comparison between California Lutheran University and UC Santa Cruz

California Lutheran University and University of California-Santa Cruz 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 UC Santa Cruz is a four-year, public school located in Santa Cruz, 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 UC Santa Cruz is a public school and both are four-year schools.
  • California Lutheran University has more expensive tuition & fees ($50,670) than UC Santa Cruz ($45,337).
  • It is harder to admit to UC Santa Cruz than California Lutheran University.
  • UC Santa Cruz has more students with 19,478 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 UC Santa Cruz's ratio is 23 to 1.
  • UC Santa Cruz has more full-time faculties with 688 faculties while California Lutheran University has 179 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

California Lutheran Universityvs.University of California-Santa Cruz
Thousand Oaks, CaliforniaLocationSanta Cruz, 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 (very high research activity)
$50,6702024 Tuition & Fees
In-State$14,560
Out-Of-State$45,337
94%% Receiving Financial Aid65%
$29,756Average Amount of Financial Aid$20,896
88.88 %Acceptance Rates62.54 %
12.23 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)10.18 %
1,220SAT Score-
26ACT Score-
73 %Graduation Rate76 %
22 %Transfer-out Rate5 %
81 %Retention Rate88 %
3,615Student Population19,478
179Number of Faculties688
14 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio23 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), 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