A university where small classes, open minds and a sense of purpose come together.
Founded in 1959 and formally recognized as a Hispanic-Serving Institution since 2016, Cal Lutheran is home to more than 3,100 current students. Our students come from 67 countries and represent a wide spectrum of faiths and spirituality.
Our dedicated, accomplished faculty works with small classes of students who are open-minded — about ideas, about people and about faith — and are seeking to grow as individuals.
Both in and out of the classroom, everyone at Cal Lutheran is committed to helping each student pursue their passions to discover their purpose.
By following that purpose, our students can transform their communities and the world.
3,100+
TOTAL STUDENTS
14:1
STUDENT-FACULTY RATIO
96%
EMPLOYED OR IN GRAD SCHOOL
59
COUNTRIES REPRESENTED
67
COUNTRIES REPRESENTED
What Makes Cal Lutheran Different
A Community Where Every Student Is Known
“It felt like the professor was alongside you, working with you.â€
Classes at Cal Lutheran are small enough that your professors learn your name and your goals quickly, and every single student has an academic advisor who stays with them from the first day to graduation.
This community and continuity is a big part of why our students stay in touch with their professors and classmates for years after they leave.
A Southern California University With a Global Reach
“You walk away feeling like you were part of something, rather than just taking part in something.â€
Cal Lutheran sits within driving distance of a groundbreaking biotech corridor, a major financial services industry and a world-renowned entertainment sector. The leaders shaping those industries regularly contribute to our classroom.
Our students come from 67 countries and our alumni work across California and around the world, building a network that reaches further than you might think.
A Place To Find Your Purpose
“I used to feel out of place, and now I feel like I belong.â€
Cal Lutheran is built on a foundational belief: understanding your own purpose is how you make your best contribution to the people and the world around you. That tradition shapes how we teach and how we measure success.
We are a Hispanic-Serving Institution and one of the few U.S. colleges and universities recognized as a Carnegie Opportunity College for broadening access and graduating students into stronger earnings. Our students consistently describe Cal Lutheran as the first place where they understood not just what they wanted to do, but what they were here to do.
Recognized for Access and Earnings
Cal Lutheran is an Opportunity College and University as designated by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Only 16% of U.S. colleges and universities have earned this distinction. It recognizes schools where students from underrepresented backgrounds gain access to opportunities and go on to higher earnings after graduation.
This underscores our commitment to student success and the real-world impact of a Cal Lutheran degree.
We’ve also been named a Best Value Universities Regional University by U.S. News & World Report. This ranking takes into account a school’s academic quality and its true cost after need-based financial aid.
Veteran Resources
Cal Lutheran is committed to honoring those who have served our country by making quality education a reality for veterans, military members and their families. With small class sizes and personalized support, Cal Lutheran will guide you to obtaining your degree and assist with the transition into civilian and college life.
- Yellow Ribbon Program – For Post 9/11 GI Bill recipients, Cal Lutheran will fund tuition and fee expenses that are in excess of Post-9/11 GI Bill coverage.
- Understand Your Benefits – As a veteran or military dependent, you have many options for financial assistance. We’ll help you understand your options.
- Apply Your Benefits – Ready to use your veterans benefits at Cal Lutheran? Find out what goes into a benefits application.
Our Accreditations, Affiliations and Associations
Â鶹Դ´ is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
- National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities
- Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities
- Council of Independent Colleges
- Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
- Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, NCAA Division III
- Hispanic-Serving Institution designation (U.S. Department of Education)
Cal Lutheran and its programs are accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
The School of Management is accredited by The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). You can view a list of our accredited programs or browse information on business student achievement.
Our MBA and MS in Financial Planning programs are accredited by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards.
The School of Management is a member of the ACG 101, one of the fastest-growing chapters of The Association for Corporate Growth, the premier international organization for professionals involved in corporate growth, corporate development and mergers and acquisitions. ACG 101 serves corporate executives and professionals in the West Valley, Ventura County and Santa Barbara areas.
The School of Management is a board member of The Economic Development Collaborative-Ventura County, a resource for companies of all sizes doing business in Ventura County. Established in 1996, EDC-VC promotes job opportunities and economic growth to maintain the county’s economic vitality through key programs and services.
The School of Management is one of the 250 members of the Global Consortium of Entrepreneurship Centers, a premier academic organization addressing the emerging topics of importance to the nation’s university-based entrepreneurship programs.
The School of Management is a member of the Principles for Responsible Management Education. This initiative is the first organized relationship between the United Nations and business schools, with the PRME Secretariat housed in the UN Global Compact Office. The mission of PRME is to inspire and champion responsible management education, research and thought leadership globally.
The School of Management is a member of the Society for Arts Education Entrepreneurship, an organization committed to advancing formal training and high educational standards for arts entrepreneurship education. Founded in 2014, the Society for Arts Entrepreneurship Education provides a forum for communication among its members and advocates for formal training and high standards for arts entrepreneurship educators.
The School of Management is a member of the Ventura County Economic Development Association, the regional voice of business on issues affecting the economy in Ventura County and California. VCEDA is funded by membership dues and sponsorships. In return, VCEDA provides the advocacy, intelligence, networking and support necessary for success in today’s business climate.
Where to Find More Information
Cal Lutheran serves a lot of different people, and the question you came here with probably looks different from the question someone else is asking. A few of the most common places to go next:
General questions about Cal Lutheran and admissions
The FAQ covers questions that many new students have, including tuition, financial aid and format.
For veterans and military families
Cal Lutheran is a Yellow Ribbon school with a dedicated veterans resource office, advisors who specialize in military benefits and a community of veteran students across every program.
Access veteran resources at Cal Lutheran →
For adults returning to finish a bachelor’s degree
Our Bachelor’s Degree for Professionals series is built for people who already have some college credit and want to complete what they started.
See the Bachelor’s Degree for Professionals →
For undergraduates who want to start a master’s early
The 4+1 pathway lets eligible Cal Lutheran undergraduates earn a bachelor’s and a master’s in five years, saving time and tuition.
For students still figuring out what to study
The Program Finder walks you through Cal Lutheran’s full range of undergraduate and graduate programs.
Talk To an Enrollment Specialist
The fastest way to get answers that fit your unique background and goals is to have a short conversation with an enrollment specialist. You’ll get personalized answers on transfer credit, start dates and financial aid. We prioritize the kind of honest guidance that helps you decide whether Cal Lutheran is the right next step, not telling you what we think you want to hear.
Get started now
To learn more and download a brochure, start by selecting your program of choice from the dropdown menu.
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