Thousand Oaks, CA · Private University
Is California Lutheran University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$68,712
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$50,670
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$50,670
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$202,680
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.36x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
6 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
74.0%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$21,669
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$26,433
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
California Lutheran University graduates earn $23,712 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at California Lutheran University ranked by graduate earnings
27 graduates
43 graduates
128 graduates
61 graduates
34 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at California Lutheran University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At California Lutheran University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer Science: $82,506) and the lowest (Music: $20,650) is $61,856/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer ScienceBest ROI | $82,506 | 1.6x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $75,436 | 1.5x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $66,698 | 1.3x |
| Biology, General | $59,007 | 1.2x |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods(1yr data) | $57,276 | 1.1x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $54,280 | 1.1x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $50,096 | 1.0x |
| Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other | $50,014 | 1.0x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $49,062 | 1.0x |
| Political Science and Government | $48,393 | 1.0x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $47,652 | 0.9x |
| Psychology, General | $45,591 | 0.9x |
| Criminology(1yr data) | $31,963 | 0.6x |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other(1yr data) | $23,879 | 0.5x |
| MusicLowest(1yr data) | $20,650 | 0.4x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
California Lutheran University delivers returns in line with the national college average. Graduates earn $68,712 10 years after starting, $23,712 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 6 years, faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.