The California Lutheran University is located in Thousand Oaks and is a private liberal arts institution in the US. It was established in 1986 and has since been offering more than 80 courses in undergraduate, graduate, and online studies.
California Lutheran University ranking is at position 11 and 7 in the 2024 edition of Regional Universities West and Best Value Schools by US News and World Report. California Lutheran University is also classified at #23 and #31 in the Best Colleges for Veterans list and Top Performers on Social Mobility, respectively.
As per the Fall admission enrollment reports of the previous years, California Lutheran University is home to more than 2000 students with a growing population of International Candidates in the past few years.
To get admission to this California Lutheran University the applicant must have a minimum GPA, of 3.0 and or a good average in Super score SAT/ACT. They must also require proof of English Proficiency by attempting IELTS, Duolingo, or TOEFL Tests.
On the brighter side, California Lutheran University has an alarmingly high acceptance rate of 87% which accepts student forms on a first-come basis. All applicants seeking admission must apply 90 days before the beginning of the semester they are intended to join. They are also required to submit an application fee of $30 (INR 2,490) for international students.
Some of the most popular Majors offered by California Lutheran University are Psychology, General Studies, Marketing, Management, Business Administration, Communications, Journalism, Biological studies, Kinesiology, Visual and Performing Arts, Computer and Information Sciences, Liberal Arts and Humanities.
The Faculty teaching at the University are Professional beings who incorporate expertise in their domains of research and education. The ratio between them and students remains to be 14:1 with the average class strength retaining around 20 students per class.
The California Lutheran University consists of different colleges and Schools within one campus. The units that are a part of the University consist of the College of Arts and Sciences, School of Management, Graduate School of Education, Graduate School of Psychology, School for Professional and Continuing Studies, and Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary.
The application dates for admissions might vary according to the intake a candidate is applying for in the year.
International students planning to apply for the Regular Fall Semester must apply by November 15 while ensuring that the majority of Academic documents are submitted on time.
Applicants planning to apply for Early or Priority action must submit their application by November 15 and March 15 respectively. The students will be notified by a certain date according to their application submission date.
Eligibility of candidates will not only depend upon their academic grades but also on their adherence to the deadline mentioned as per the University admission guidelines.
Read more: Benefits of studying in the USA
California Lutheran University offers more than 80 courses consisting of various degrees in Bachelor, Master, Doctoral, and Ph.D. over 15 different colleges. The popular courses that are a part of this university’s departments are Communications, Journalism, Biological studies, Kinesiology, Visual and Performing Arts, Psychology, General Studies, Marketing, Management, Business Administration, Computer and Information Sciences, Liberal Arts and Humanities.
The university grants many additional courses to the existing full-time programs that act as a golden opportunity for working professionals who are looking to enhance their careers while pursuing their desired pursuits.
California Lutheran University tuition for international students and cost of living may differ depending on the course, rent, and personal expenses of a student. Some of the fees applicable are mandatory for an international student to pay like dental health and medical/health insurance. The estimated cost of living and incidental items on an annual basis is subject to change as per the curriculum.
California Lutheran University- tuition fees
Item | Cost |
Tuition and College Fee | $25,875 (INR 21,48,681) per semester |
Housing Fee | $6,000 (INR 4,98,244) per semester |
Housing deposit | $400 (INR 33,216) one time |
Meal Plan | $3,300-$3,558 (INR 2,74,034- 2,95,470) per semester |
Health Insurance (Fall Semester) | $864 (INR 71,749) |
Health Insurance (Spring Semester) | $1,056 (INR 87,694) |
Books and Supplies | Approx. $1,000 (INR 83,039) per semester |
Personal Expenses | Approx. $1,500 (INR 1,24,558) |
Travel Expenses | Approx. $1,500 (INR 1,24,558) |
The cost of residing in Thousand Oaks, California is expensive compared to many other places in the United States. Freshmen students can live in the housing facilities provided on-campus estimated to be approximately $ 4,500 (INR 3,73,675) per semester. This structure may vary depending on the Meal Plan and Housing Hall a student prefers to choose. A student living off-campus can expect to have a budget of around $3,052 (INR 2,53,439) for study expenses in the USA every month, which includes their rent, food, cost of transportation, and other expenses.
California Lutheran University- living expenses
Expense list | Costs |
Housing | On-campus accommodation - $4,500-$7,335 (INR 3,73,675- 6,09,100) per semester Off-Campus Housing: $3,052 (INR 2,53,439) per month |
Food / Groceries | The on-campus meal basic plan starts at $3,905 (INR 3,24,261) per semester. Off-campus: $322 (INR 26,738) per month. |
Utilities and internet | Included with rent allowance |
Transportation | Pass costs around $1,500 (INR 1,24,558) on an annual basis |
California Lutheran University has a high acceptance rate of 87% which accepts student forms on a first-come basis. Aspiring candidates need to fill out the official application form while submitting all the required documents and details on the website of California Lutheran University. For a step-by-step procedure, adhere to the below-mentioned instructions:
Visit the official Website
Create a personalized account
Fill up the application as well as an Essay
Submit a non-refundable application fee of $30
Fill out a short International Student Application Supplement
Upload standardized test scores and official transcripts
Upload proof of English Language proficiency
Sign up for an interview (optional)
Submit after the final review and wait for confirmation
California Lutheran University Application Fee
All the applicants are required to submit an application fee of $30 (INR 2,490) for international students. Candidates must submit the application fee online along with the Application Form.
California Lutheran University Application Dates
Action | Application Deadline | Notification date |
Early Action | November 1 | January 1 |
Regular Decision | January 15 | April 1 |
Priority Application | March 15 | May 1 |
Documents required for admission to California Lutheran University
Academic transcripts
High school academic documents
Standardized test scores for SAT and ACT exams
Proof of English proficiency such as IELTS, and TOEFL.
A copy of the Study Visa and Passport
Letter of Recommendation (optional)
Work Experience (optional)
Statement of Purpose (if required)
California Lutheran University Scholarships for international students offer a variety of financial help so that applicants can fund their education. These scholarships vary in terms of merit, need, and specific academic achievements. One of the consideration-based scholarships is the Global Scholars Program, which is mainly for Asian, African, and Middle-Eastern students and offers relief of up to $25,000 to $30,000.
The university also offers scholarships to international and continuing students which consists of University Merit, leadership, and diversity scholarships. This includes an International Grant and a Cal Lutheran Donor scholarship for non-resident students.
However, there’s not much aid provided to international students and hence they should be prepared to fund most of their finances while pursuing their education at California Lutheran University.
Also read: Scholarships in USA
Candidates must complete the English language requirements for their selected course if English is not their first language. A detailed table for required scores is mentioned below.
California Lutheran University English Proficiency Requirement
Exam | Scores required |
TOEFL iBT | 79 |
IELTS | 6.5 |
PTE Academics | 58 |
Completion of ELS | 112 |
California Lutheran University is a highly-ranked university with a strong reputation for excellence. It is a good choice for students interested in gaining education from experienced professors at an emerging yet well-established American University. California Lutheran University has more than 2000 students, among which there are 8% international students.
All overseas students can contact California Lutheran University on the following details:
Address: California Lutheran University
60 W. Olsen Rd.
Thousand Oaks
CA 91360-2700
Contact:805-492-2411/admissions@CalLutheran.edu
The acceptance rate of the University is quite high as almost 87% of applicants get selected to be enrolled in any of the programs. The college has set up selection criteria for GPA, SAT, and ACT Scores. Therefore, to be eligible for admission one should match the prerequisites before applying to CLU.
All international students are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week according to the work and study permit guidelines. They can find jobs within the campus premises as well in the form of apprenticeships, teacher assistantships, working at college-based food outlets or coffee shops, etc. international students are also allowed to work off campus as per their convenience but with prior authorization which will be explained during orientation sessions.
There is an availability of public transport in the form of local buses which are routed to the Cal Lutheran Campus as well as nearby shopping complexes and fast-food restaurants. A student can also consider buying a bicycle or car for an easier commute to the following places.
International students who have qualified the eligibility criteria for the same will automatically be considered for Academic scholarships irrespective of their financial conditions. These automatic-consideration-based scholarships are granted based on GPA Scores and further academic background of an applicant.
California Lutheran University offers a diverse range of courses which broadly consist of programs such as Psychology, General Studies, Marketing, Management, Biological studies, Kinesiology, Visual and Performing Arts, Computer and Information Sciences, Liberal Arts and Humanities, Business Administration, Communications, Journalism.
California Lutheran University has an alarmingly high acceptance rate of 87% which accepts student forms on a first-come basis. All applicants seeking admission must apply 90 days before the beginning of the semester they intend to join.