California Lutheran University

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U.S. News Rankings

Ranking score and category

U.S. News rank Category Name #18 Regional Universities (West)

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Summary

California Lutheran University is a private institution that was founded in 1959. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 2,545, its setting is suburban, and the campus size is 290 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. California Lutheran University's ranking in the 2012 edition of Best Colleges is Regional Universities (West), 18. Its tuition and fees are $32,860 (2011-12).

School mission (as provided by the school):

California Lutheran University is a selective comprehensive institution dedicated to academic excellence in the liberal arts and sciences and professional fields. Its mission is to educate leaders for a global society who are strong in character and judgment, confident in their identity and vocation, and committed to service and justice. Rooted in the Lutheran tradition, the university encourages critical inquiry into matters of both faith and reason. CLU provides a challenging academic environment with special strengths in business, education, science and the humanities. The university offers 36 undergraduate majors as well as several master's and doctoral programs. Low class sizes and faculty-student ratios enable undergraduate and graduate students to work closely with their distinguished professors, becoming partners in learning and research. Members of the CLU student body come from across the nation and nearly 60 countries around the globe, representing a diversity of faiths and cultures. International and study abroad programs are strong. University life is active, with most undergraduate students living on campus and high participation rates in intramural sports and other activities. Service is integrated throughout the curriculum and extracurricular activities. CLU's intercollegiate athletic teams have garnered many titles competing at the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III level. The university's new athletics complex includes a sports and fitness center, aquatics center, tennis courts and baseball and softball fields. A new football stadium will be dedicated in fall 2011. The university, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary, has experienced tremendous physical growth in recent years. CLU's first LEED-certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) building, the Swenson Center for the Social and Behavioral Sciences opened in 2010. The Fredrickson Family Early Childhood Center and the KCLU Broadcast Center for CLU's National Public Radio station opened in spring 2011.

General Information

School type	private, coed college
Year founded	1959
Religious affiliation	Lutheran
Academic calendar	semester
Setting	suburban
2010 Endowment	$49,672,968

Applying

When applying to California Lutheran University, it's important to note the application deadline is March 15. Scores for either the ACT or SAT test are due May 1. The application fee at California Lutheran University is $45. It is more selective, with an acceptance rate of 47.2 percent.

For more information about the tests, essays, interviews, and admissions process, visit the Applying to College knowledge center.

Selectivity	more selective
Fall 2010 acceptance rate	47%
Application deadline	March 15
SAT/ACT scores must be received by	May 1

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Academic Life

The student-faculty ratio at California Lutheran University is 16:1, and the school has 58.5 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at California Lutheran University include: Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Biological and Biomedical Sciences; Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs; Social Sciences; and Psychology. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 80.0 percent.

Class sizes
Student-faculty ratio	16:1
4-year graduation rate	57% - High
Five most popular majors for 2010 graduates
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services 32% Biological and Biomedical Sciences 13% Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs 11% Social Sciences 9% Psychology 8%

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Student Life

California Lutheran University has a total undergraduate enrollment of 2,545, with a gender distribution of 42.2 percent male students and 57.8 percent female students. 60.0 percent of the students live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing and 40.0 percent of students live off campus. California Lutheran University is part of the NCAA III athletic conference.

Total enrollment	3,931
Student gender distribution
Undergraduate men who are members of a fraternity
Undergraduate women who are members of a sorority
Collegiate athletic association	NCAA III

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Campus Info & Services

California Lutheran University offers a number of student services including nonremedial tutoring, women's center, placement service, health service, and health insurance. California Lutheran University also offers campus safety and security services like 24-hour foot and vehicle patrols, late night transport/escort service, 24-hour emergency telephones, lighted pathways/sidewalks, student patrols, and controlled dormitory access (key, security card, etc). Of the students at California Lutheran University, 90 percent have cars on campus. Alcohol is not permitted for students of legal age at California Lutheran University.

Students who have cars on campus	90% - High
Health insurance offered	Yes
Students required to own/lease a computer	No

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Paying for School

At California Lutheran University, 68.2 percent of full-time undergraduates receive some kind of need-based financial aid and the average need-based scholarship or grant award is $18,150.

Paying for college doesn't have to be difficult or devastating. Go to the Paying for College knowledge center to get advice on raising cash and reducing costs.

Tuition and fees	$32,860 (2011-12)
Room and board	$11,070 (2011-12) - High
Financial aid statistics

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* Overview details based on 2010 data