Academic Comparison between UC Santa Cruz and California Lutheran University

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

  • UC Santa Cruz is a public and California Lutheran University is a private (not-for-profit) 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

University of California-Santa Cruzvs.California Lutheran University
Santa Cruz, CaliforniaLocationThousand Oaks, California
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Research University (very high research activity)Carnegie ClassificationMaster's College and University (larger programs)
In-State$14,560
Out-Of-State$45,337
2024 Tuition & Fees$50,670
65%% Receiving Financial Aid94%
$20,896Average Amount of Financial Aid$29,756
62.54 %Acceptance Rates88.88 %
10.18 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)12.23 %
-SAT Score1,220
-ACT Score26
76 %Graduation Rate73 %
5 %Transfer-out Rate22 %
88 %Retention Rate81 %
19,478Student Population3,615
688Number of Faculties179
23 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio14 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), Study Abroad, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycareOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services