California Lutheran University
California Lutheran University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
California Lutheran University at a Glance
California Lutheran University is a private university in Thousand Oaks, California, United States. It was founded in 1959 and is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, but is nonsectarian. It opened in 1960 as California Lutheran College and was the first four-year private college in Ventura County. It changed its name to California Lutheran University on January 1, 1986.
1959
67 years old
$144M
$144.05 million (2024)
2,888
437
290 acres
Identity
Is California Lutheran University Worth It?
California Lutheran University offers moderate value at $30,109/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $68,712, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.8 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 72% graduation rate means roughly 28% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How California Lutheran University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in CA
Ranked #58 of 126 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Saint Xavier University | 77 | $10,970 | $58,656 |
| #2 | Kalamazoo College | 68 | $19,072 | $65,590 |
| #3 | Carroll University | 67 | $15,193 | $58,009 |
| #4 | Ohio Northern University | 62 | $24,478 | $80,928 |
| #5 | Albion College | 61 | $14,301 | $58,799 |
| #6 | Canisius University | 58 | $17,940 | $60,681 |
| #58 | California Lutheran University | 41 | $30,109 | $68,712 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of California Lutheran University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 11 in CA.
Best Programs at California Lutheran University
The highest-earning program at California Lutheran University is Computer Science at $55,600/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Health and Physical Education/Fitness at $21,800/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer Science graduate from California Lutheran University earns $55,600, while a Health and Physical Education/Fitness graduate earns $21,800. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Computer Science graduates carry $18,000 in median debt vs. $22,500 for Health and Physical Education/Fitness.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $30,109/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $55,600 | $55,600 | $18,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $52,700 | $52,700 | $24,424 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $46,300 | $46,300 | $21,590 |
| Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other | $36,900 | $36,900 | $21,250 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $32,700 | $32,700 | $23,125 |
| Biology, General | $31,100 | $31,100 | $27,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $28,900 | $28,900 | $23,199 |
| Psychology, General | $26,800 | $26,800 | $21,687 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $21,800 | $21,800 | $22,500 |
Similar Colleges in CA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Thousand Oaks, CA
- Student Body
- 2,296 students
- Admission Rate
- 76%
- Graduation Rate
- 72%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $30,109
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $68,712
- Median Student Debt
- $21,669