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California Lutheran University vs California State Polytechnic University-Pomona

California Lutheran University is a private university in Thousand Oaks, CA, and California State Polytechnic University-Pomona is a public university in Pomona, CA. California State Polytechnic University-Pomona is the more selective of the two, admitting about 75% of applicants against 76% at California Lutheran University. California State Polytechnic University-Pomona is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $11,531 a year against $30,109 at California Lutheran University. About 72% of students graduate at California Lutheran University, compared with 68% at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona. Ten years after enrolling, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona alumni earn a median of about $71,902, against $68,712 for California Lutheran University.

California Lutheran University

Thousand Oaks, CA · Private

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona

Pomona, CA · Public
At a glance
Type
Private
Public
Location
Thousand Oaks, CA
Pomona, CA
Setting
Urban
Suburban
Undergraduates
2,296
25,042
Acceptance rate
76%
75%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.45–3.95
3.41–3.91
SAT (middle 50%)
1150–1330
1010–1250
ACT (middle 50%)
24–31
19–27
Test policy
Test optional
Test blind
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$30,109
$11,531
Full cost / yr
$68,426
$23,955
In-state tuition
$52,560
$7,780
Out-of-state tuition
$52,560
$20,380
Application fee
$25
$70
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$22,161
$7,851
$30k - $48k
$23,668
$8,433
$48k - $75k
$24,318
$10,734
$75k - $110k
$29,303
$13,894
Over $110k
$38,364
$20,716
Outcomes
Graduation rate
72%
68%
Freshman retention
79%
87%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$54,981
$54,466
Median earnings (10 yr)
$68,712
$71,902
Median debt at graduation
$21,669
$16,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
31%
46%
First-generation students
35%
49%
International students
4%
1%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Nov 15
Not reported
Regular decision
Jan 15
Dec 1

Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.

Frequently asked questions
Is California Lutheran University or California State Polytechnic University-Pomona harder to get into?
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona is harder to get into. It admits about 75% of applicants, compared with 76% at California Lutheran University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, California Lutheran University or California State Polytechnic University-Pomona?
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona is cheaper on average. Students pay about $11,531 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $30,109 at California Lutheran University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
What is the full cost of attendance at California Lutheran University and California State Polytechnic University-Pomona?
Before aid, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona costs about $23,955 a year and California Lutheran University about $68,426. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, California Lutheran University or California State Polytechnic University-Pomona?
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $7,851 there, against about $22,161 at California Lutheran University. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, California Lutheran University or California State Polytechnic University-Pomona?
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona is the larger of the two, with about 25,042 undergraduates against 2,296 at California Lutheran University.
Does California Lutheran University or California State Polytechnic University-Pomona have a better graduation rate?
California Lutheran University has the higher graduation rate, at about 72% against 68% at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona.
Do graduates of California Lutheran University or California State Polytechnic University-Pomona earn more?
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona alumni earn more on average: a median of about $71,902 ten years after enrolling, against about $68,712 for California Lutheran University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do California Lutheran University and California State Polytechnic University-Pomona require SAT or ACT scores?
California Lutheran University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. California State Polytechnic University-Pomona is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all.
What SAT scores do California Lutheran University and California State Polytechnic University-Pomona look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1150–1330 at California Lutheran University and 1010–1250 at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

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