California Lutheran University

In 2022, California Lutheran University's tuition was $49,880 a year.

In 2023, tuition increased 5.01%–from $47,500 the prior year. On average, college tuition goes up about 3% every year.

Remember, the advertized cost of tuition does not always give you all the info you need to know how much you will actually have to pay for college. Many students pay a lot less than the total tuition after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are applied. And, student loans can make thecost of college feel more doable until you're done with college.

California Lutheran University meets 75% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student at California Lutheran University is around $41,741 a year.

The average student debt for graduates in the class of 2023 was around $21,036 per student, not including those with no debt.

California Lutheran University: In-state vs. Out-of-State Tuition

California Lutheran University is a private, religious institution, which means it has the same tuition for residents of California as it does for residents from other states.

Public colleges and universities receive funding from the state government. These institutions offer reduced tuition for students who are residents of that state.

Attending a college where you are eligible for in-state tuition can drastically reduce the cost of tuition, as well as loans and interest owed. Be sure to verify your state's requirements for in-state tuition. Every state has its own rules about what makes someone eligible for in-state tuition. In many states, students must have lived in the state for 12 months before starting school to qualify for in-state tuition. There may be other criteria too, depending on where you live.

Explore other California colleges

Tuition for International Students at California Lutheran University

Tuition at California Lutheran University is the same for every student.

International students usually do not qualify for for federal financial aid, but may be eligible for private or California Lutheran University-specific aid and scholarships. International students with need may be eligible for the following types of financial support at California Lutheran University:

•On-campus jobs •Loans from outsideCalifornia Lutheran University •California Lutheran University-specific scholarships

International students without financial need may be eligible for merit-based institutional scholarships.

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California Lutheran University Room, Board, Fees, and More

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Tuition is not the only cost of attending college; there are other costs associated with college, like room and board, facility fees, and books and supplies. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at California Lutheran University.

Room and Board Costs at California Lutheran University

Housing and campus dining at California Lutheran University is $16,210 a year. This includes the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, and a dining plan that enables you to eat in the school dining halls.

Meal-plan costs may vary depending on how many meals are included in the plan you choose.

Cost of Books at California Lutheran University

The cost of books often surprises first-year college students. The real cost of books depends on the courses you take and the materials required. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy used textbooks and materials.

Annual Fees

The majority of colleges charge some yearly fees to help cover the cost of facilties, like the library, gym and computer labs.

Keep in mind, there could also be optional fees associated with participating in certain activities, like Greek Life, or playing on an intramural sports team. Most colleges have resources so that those who may struggle to participate because of cost can get help covering these fees.

Transportation costs

The cost of getting around in college can really vary. Will you drive, fly, or take public transportation to school? Is on-campus parking free, or will you need to budget for parking? Is the campus easy to get around on foot? Do you plan to bring a car or will you need to use public transportation? All of these questions can make a big difference in your transportation budget. At California Lutheran University, freshman are allowed to park on campus.

Where are a college is located can impact transportation costs. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the other hand transportation in a city is sometimes expensive, but there may be more trains, busses and low-cost flight options to actually get to school. California Lutheran Universityis located in a suburb in California, near Los Angeles.

Other Costs

When you're planning for college, don’t forget to take into account the cost of things like going out to eat or see shows, furnishing your living space, and things like haircuts, clothes and, yes, even toilet paper and shampoo.

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The Full Cost of Attending California Lutheran University

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Now, let’s go over all of the costs we've covered, to get a better idea of how much students can expect to shell out for California Lutheran University.

How Much Does California Lutheran University Cost?

What will the cost of attending California Lutheran University be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
Tuition	$49,880
Room and Board	$16,210
Other expenses	$2,939

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Total Estimated Costs
On-Campus	$69,829
Off-Campus	$55,176

The breakdowns above provide a good estimate of the total cost of attendance before financial aid and scholarships. Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

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Financial Aid at California Lutheran University

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The majority of California Lutheran University undergrads use financial aid to help pay for school. In 2023, 1,714 of the 2,513 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. California Lutheran University meets 75% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $41,741 a year. Around 57% of California Lutheran University undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. California Lutheran University graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $21,036 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$15,580
Private Loans	$45,124

Most Common Loans for California Lutheran University Students
Federal Loans	56%
Private loans	7%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on California Lutheran University financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at California Lutheran University

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2023, California Lutheran University awarded 1,714 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $57.6 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $17.39 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

California Lutheran University Net Cost

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for California Lutheran University students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at California Lutheran University was $41,741 in 2023. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of California Lutheran University seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
On-Campus	$28,088
Off-Campus	$13,435

What will attending California Lutheran University really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families get a better idea of the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the California Lutheran University's net cost calculator on their website.

California Lutheran University Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

California Lutheran University does not have guaranteed tuition.

California Lutheran University offers an Installment Payment Plan, which allows students to pay tuition in a series of smaller chunks instead of one lump sum.

Does California Lutheran University Offer Tuition Waivers?

Schools sometimes offer tuition waivers to certain groups, to offset the cost of attending. Some colleges offer tuition waivers for employees and their family members, underrepresented students, or military students. Even if you qualify for a waiver, other expenses and fees are the responsibility of the student.

California Lutheran University has some full or partial tuition waivers available for: - Employees or Children of Employees

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

California Lutheran University's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

California Lutheran University's endowment was valued at $133.1 million in 2023, compared to a national average of $905 million. The school spends $11,945 for each full-time student enrolled.

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Learn More About California Lutheran University

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Choose one of the options below to find out more about about California Lutheran University:

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