California Lutheran University (Thousand Oaks): Tuition, Scholarships & Guide for International Students

California Lutheran University, known as Cal Lutheran, is a private university in Thousand Oaks, California, founded in 1959 and affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. It sits between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara and offers undergraduate and graduate programmes in business, psychology, communication, computer science, biology, education, and the arts, with small classes and an inclusive community. International students are considered automatically for academic scholarships. This guide covers costs, scholarships, English requirements, and F-1 and OPT rules.

Quick facts snapshot

• Institution: California Lutheran University (Cal Lutheran), a private university in Thousand Oaks, California, founded in 1959
• Affiliation: Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (students of all backgrounds welcome)
• 2026-27 full-time undergraduate tuition (Cal Lutheran's page): US$26,825 a semester for 12 to 18 units, about US$53,650 a year; US$1,735 per unit outside that range
• Cost of attendance (third-party, 2025): about US$74,816 living on campus
• Scholarships: international students are automatically considered for academic scholarships at admission; Cal Lutheran awards combined cannot exceed tuition
• English: IELTS 6.5 minimum; TOEFL, PTE, and Duolingo also accepted
• Location: Thousand Oaks, about 40 miles from Los Angeles

Rankings and reputation

Cal Lutheran appears in US regional university rankings and is not highly placed in global research tables. It is valued for small classes and personal attention. Judge it on programme, net cost after scholarships, and outcomes.

Academics and signature programs

Cal Lutheran offers majors in business, accounting, economics, psychology, communication, computer science, data science, biology, exercise science, education, music, and theatre, plus graduate programmes including the MBA and an MS in information technology. Ask which majors are STEM-designated for OPT purposes.

Admissions and international eligibility

Admission is based on academic records and English. International applicants are automatically considered for academic scholarships based on GPA. After admission and a deposit, Cal Lutheran issues an I-20.

English language requirements

• IELTS 6.5 minimum for undergraduates
• TOEFL, PTE, and Duolingo are also accepted
• Graduate programmes may set different requirements
• Check Cal Lutheran's English proficiency page

Application checklist

A typical application includes transcripts, English results, passport details, and financial documents for the I-20. Ask for your scholarship amount in writing.

Tuition, living costs, and scholarships

Cal Lutheran's 2026-27 full-time undergraduate tuition is US$26,825 a semester, or about US$53,650 a year, for 12 to 18 units. Third-party figures put the 2025 on-campus cost of attendance at about US$74,816, including housing, meals, and fees. Check Cal Lutheran's current cost of attendance page.

Estimated living costs

• F-1 applicants must show proof of funds covering at least a year of costs
• F-1 rules restrict off-campus work, so plan for little income while studying
• On-campus housing and meal plans offer predictable costs for first-year students
• Health insurance meeting the university's standards is generally required
• Winters can be cold in the northern states, so budget for winter clothing

Scholarships

International students are automatically considered for academic scholarships at admission, based on GPA. Presidential and academic scholarships are available, and combined Cal Lutheran awards cannot exceed tuition. Ask for amounts and renewal conditions.

Campus life and student support

Cal Lutheran's campus is in a quiet, residential area of Thousand Oaks, with hills and trails nearby, residence halls, and NCAA Division III athletics. Malibu beaches and Los Angeles are within reach by car.

Career outcomes and post-study work rights

Southern California's economy includes technology, entertainment, biotechnology, finance, and health care, and Thousand Oaks hosts major biotech employers. Cal Lutheran's career services support internships. International students need CPT for internships and OPT after graduation.

US Optional Practical Training

After completing a US degree, F-1 graduates can apply for Optional Practical Training, which allows up to 12 months of work related to their field, extendable by 24 months for STEM-designated programs. OPT is tied to the degree, so time on a pathway alone does not create post-study work rights. Confirm your program's STEM status with the international office, and check current rules with the US government.

Business and data programmes

Cal Lutheran's School of Management offers business, accounting, and economics, and the MBA and graduate programmes in IT and data. Data science and computer science majors may be STEM-designated, which can extend OPT. Ask about internships with Southern California employers.

Living in Thousand Oaks

Thousand Oaks is a safe suburban city in Ventura County with parks, hiking trails, and a warm, dry climate. Rents are high, as across Southern California. A car is useful, though campus life is self-contained for first-year students.

Visa and arrival steps

After admission and a deposit, Cal Lutheran issues an I-20. You pay the SEVIS fee, book an F-1 visa interview, and arrive before orientation with financial documents.

Support for international students

Cal Lutheran's international student services help with I-20s, orientation, maintaining F-1 status, and CPT and OPT applications. Ask about airport pickup from Los Angeles and orientation events.

Common mistakes applicants make

Applicants sometimes compare tuition only, ignoring housing and fees, or assume scholarships can be stacked beyond tuition. Check the full cost of attendance and scholarship rules.

Health insurance and pre-arrival preparation

International students on F-1 visas are generally required to carry health insurance meeting the university's standards. Budget for the SEVIS I-901 fee, the visa fee, and flights, and prepare for a visa interview, whose waiting times vary by country.

What to expect in your first months

The first weeks involve orientation, English placement where needed, and learning how US classes work, with regular assignments and participation. Students who use tutoring and advising early tend to reach progression targets more comfortably.

A realistic budget

At about US$75,000 a year before scholarships, four years would cost about US$300,000. A US$20,000 annual scholarship would reduce this to about US$220,000.

Questions to ask before you accept an offer

• What academic scholarship will I receive, and is it renewable?
• Is my major STEM-designated?
• What is the full 2026-27 cost of attendance?
• What housing is available?
• How do internships and CPT work?
• What are outcomes for international graduates?

Who Cal Lutheran suits best

Cal Lutheran suits students who want a small, welcoming private university in a safe Southern California setting with strong business, psychology, and communication programmes. It may suit less well students on a tight budget without a large scholarship, or those who want a big-city campus.

Cal Lutheran compared with other Southern California private universities

Universities such as Pepperdine and Loyola Marymount are better known and more expensive, while Cal Lutheran offers smaller classes and a suburban setting. Compare net cost, programme, and campus culture.

Step-by-step application roadmap

1. Choose your program and confirm entry requirements.
2. Check the English requirement and book a test if needed.
3. Apply with transcripts and passport details.
4. Accept your offer, pay any deposit, and receive your I-20.
5. Apply for your F-1 visa and prepare for the interview.
6. Arrange travel and attend orientation.

Preparing your documents early

Order certified transcripts and translations, arrange financial documents, and check that your passport is valid for the whole study period. Keep written confirmation of program costs, scholarships, and progression terms.

Psychology and communication

Cal Lutheran is well known for psychology, with undergraduate and graduate programmes, and for communication, including media and public relations. Small classes allow research with faculty. Ask about research opportunities and internships in Los Angeles.

Graduate programmes

Cal Lutheran's graduate programmes include the MBA, an MS in information technology, an MS in quantitative economics, and counselling and education degrees, many with evening or weekend classes. Graduate tuition is charged per unit. Ask about STEM designation and graduate assistantships.

A step-by-step checklist before paying

Confirm your scholarship in writing, check the full cost of attendance, ask about STEM designation, confirm housing, and read the deposit and refund terms before paying.

Questions for current students

If possible, speak with current Cal Lutheran students about class sizes, scholarships, internships, and life in Thousand Oaks. Their experience can help you judge whether it suits you and what to budget for in the first year.

Planning your budget

Budget for tuition, housing, meals, health insurance, books, and travel, not tuition alone, and remember that scholarships may carry GPA conditions. Check renewal conditions and the full cost of attendance before committing, and keep copies of every financial document for your visa interview.

Frequently asked questions