California Lutheran University Cost & Financial Aid
Affordability Summary
Cost varies significantly by family income. Use the breakdown below to estimate your net price.
Cost Calculator
What You'll Pay at California Lutheran University
Select your family income to see your estimated cost
The Cost Formula
Tuition
$53K
+
Room
$17K
+
Books
$934
=
Sticker Price
$68,426
$53K+$17K+$934=$68,426
Your Family Income
Sticker
$68,426
−
Your Aid
$44,108
=
Net Price
$24,318
All Income Levels
Net prices are averages and may vary. Based on federal data for first-time, full-time students receiving aid.
California Lutheran University Cost of Attendance and Financial Aid Summary
Cost Category
Amount
Total Cost of Attendance (Sticker Price)
$68,426
Tuition and Fees
$52,560
Room and Board
$16,810
Books and Supplies
$934
Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships)
-$38,317
Average Net Price (What Families Pay)
$30,109
California Lutheran University Net Price by Family Income Level
Family Income
Net Price
$0–30k
$22,161
$30–48k
$23,668
$48–75k
$24,318
$75–110k
$29,303
$110k+
$38,364
Understanding Your Aid Package
California Lutheran University has a sticker price of $68,426 per year, but most students pay significantly less after financial aid. The actual cost depends heavily on your family's income level.
Key Facts
Sticker price: $68,426/year
Average aid: $38,317 in grants & scholarships
$48–75K families pay: ~$24,318/year
Low-income families: Pay ~$22,161/year
31% of students receive Pell Grants
Financial Aid Profile
💰
31%
Pell Grant Recipients
Lower-income students receiving federal aid
🎓
35%
First-Generation Students
Parents without bachelor's degree
Get personalized cost estimates and assess whether borrowing makes sense.
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Typical Debt
Median Student Debt$21,669
Range (25th–75th)$8,750 – $27,000
Median Parent PLUS Loans$32,125
Debt Manageability
0.31x
Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
Debt is well below typical first-year earnings — generally considered very manageable.
3-Year Default Rate0.0%
Return on Investment
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
Median Earnings (10yr)
$68,712
Earnings Growth
+25%
6 → 10 years post-graduation
Value Added
+$7,356
81th percentile among peers
Earnings Range (10yr post-graduation)
$44,592
25th %ile
$96,084
75th %ile
Frequently Asked Questions about California Lutheran University Cost & Financial Aid
California Lutheran University's published tuition is $68,426 per year. However, after financial aid, the average student pays $24,318—a difference of $44,108.
Families earning under $30,000 pay an average net price of $22,161 at California Lutheran University. 31% of students receive Pell Grants.
California Lutheran University offers merit-based scholarships for academic achievement, in addition to need-based financial aid. Contact the financial aid office for specific scholarship opportunities.
The median debt for California graduates is $21,669, resulting in estimated monthly payments of $230 over 10 years.
Even families earning over $110,000 pay an average net price of $38,364 at California—still $30,062 less than the sticker price. Most families qualify for some form of aid.
