Pacific Lutheran University vs California Lutheran University

Pacific Lutheran University and California Lutheran University are both well-regarded institutions, but they differ in important ways. Here's how they compare across key dimensions.

Admissions: Pacific Lutheran University is more selective with a 80.5% acceptance rate compared to California Lutheran University's 88.9%. Average SAT scores are 1152 and 1224 respectively.

Cost: Pacific Lutheran University offers a lower average net price at $21,370, which is $5,063 less than California Lutheran University ($26,433). After financial aid, this can make a significant difference over 4 years.

Career Outcomes: Graduates from California Lutheran University earn a median salary of $68,712 ten years after enrollment, which is $1,722 more than Pacific Lutheran University graduates ($66,990).

Graduation: California Lutheran University leads with a 73.6% graduation rate, and freshman retention rates are 79.4% vs 80.6%.

Campus Size: California Lutheran University is the larger campus with 2,374 total students, while Pacific Lutheran University has 2,350.

Bottom Line: Pacific Lutheran University wins on affordability while California Lutheran University leads in career earnings. Your choice depends on whether upfront cost or long-term ROI matters more.