California Lutheran University

Thousand Oaks, CA

private nonprofitgraduate

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Quick Facts

2,374

Total Students

$51K

Tuition (In-State)

$51K

Tuition (Out-State)

$26K

Avg Net Price

89%

Acceptance Rate

74%

Graduation Rate

6-year

81%

Retention Rate

Master's Colleges & Universities

Classification

Data from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) & U.S. Dept. of Education

About California Lutheran University

Cal Lutheran: Pioneering liberal arts, 'Cradle of Coaches,' and historic home to the Dallas Cowboys.

Nestled in the scenic Thousand Oaks, California Lutheran University stands as a testament to pioneering spirit and enduring community. Founded in 1959, this private, nonsectarian institution, affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, quickly established itself as California's first four-year liberal arts college and Ventura County's inaugural four-year private college. Today, Cal Lutheran is renowned not just for its academic rigor but also for its unique athletic legacy, affectionately dubbed the "West Coast's 'Cradle of Coaches'" – a title earned as 144 of its players have gone on to coach football.

Beyond its athletic fame, Cal Lutheran offers a rich and diverse academic landscape designed to challenge and inspire. Students can pursue degrees at the bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels across 36 majors and 34 minors, fostering intellectual growth in a supportive environment. The university's evolution from California Lutheran College in 1959 to a comprehensive university in 1986 reflects its continuous commitment to expanding educational opportunities and making a profound impact on its students and the wider community.

California Lutheran University is home to distinguished professional schools that prepare students for leadership in various fields. The School of Management, for example, boasts an MBA program that was ranked 66th in North America and houses dynamic centers for economic research and entrepreneurship. The Graduate School of Education cultivates future educators with master's and doctoral programs, while the Graduate School of Psychology provides crucial training in clinical and counseling psychology, complemented by community counseling centers. This commitment to practical, impactful education ensures graduates are well-equipped to excel in their chosen careers, all within a vibrant, 290-acre suburban campus just 40 miles northwest of Los Angeles.

Key Highlights

✦Founded in 1959, it was California's first four-year liberal arts college and the first four-year private college in Ventura County.
✦Served as the official summer training camp for the NFL's Dallas Cowboys for 27 years (1963-1989), fostering a unique athletic legacy.
✦Known as the "West Coast's 'Cradle of Coaches'," with 144 players becoming football coaches and 24 drafted for Major League Baseball.
✦Offers a comprehensive academic catalog with 36 majors, 34 minors, and degrees at bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels.
✦The School of Management's MBA program was ranked 66th in North America by The 2010 QS World University Rankings.
✦Located on a 290-acre suburban campus in Thousand Oaks, 40 miles northwest of Los Angeles, with additional regional centers.
✦The campus has hosted notable visitors including U.S. Presidents Ronald Reagan, Gerald Ford, George H. W. Bush, and former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

Timeline

1928

An attempt to establish "Los Angeles Lutheran University" in Del Rey Hills is postponed by the stock market crash.

1951

First official steps taken to create a Lutheran college at the American Lutheran Church convention.

1959

California Lutheran College is established.

1960

Opened as California's first four-year liberal arts college and Ventura County's first four-year private college.

1961

Campus opens in Thousand Oaks with an initial enrollment of 330 students.

1963

The Dallas Cowboys begin their 27-year run as a summer training camp at CLC.

1985

A $1 million gift from Clifford and Alma Pearson helps establish the Pearson Library.

1986

California Lutheran College officially changes its name to California Lutheran University; School of Business becomes a separate school.

1989

The Dallas Cowboys conclude their 27-year training camp residency at CLU.

2011

The School of Business is formally renamed the School of Management.

Schools & Colleges

3 notable schools within California Lutheran University

🏫

School of Management

Originally the Department of Business, it became a separate school in 1986 and was renamed in 2011. It offers undergraduate degrees in Business Administration, Economics, Accounting, Hospitality & Tourism Management, and Sports Management, alongside various graduate programs including MBA, Executive MBA, Master in Management, MS in Financial Planning, Quantitative Economics, Information Technology, and Master of Public Policy and Administration (MPPA). It also operates the Center for Economic Research and Forecasting and the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

📚

Graduate School of Education

Based in the Spies-Bornemann Center for Education and Technology, this school trains teachers at all instructional levels. It offers multiple master's degrees (M.Ed., MS in counseling and guidance or educational psychology, MA in educational technology, educational leadership, or school site leadership) and a Doctor of Education (Ed.D) in educational leadership. Undergraduate Liberal Studies majors prepare for elementary teaching.

🎓

Graduate School of Psychology

Offering an APA-accredited doctorate in clinical psychology (Psy.D) and Master of Science degrees in clinical psychology and counseling psychology (MFT), this school provides comprehensive training. It also operates two counseling centers in Oxnard and Westlake Village, offering low-fee clinical services to local residents, with graduate students providing services under licensed supervision.

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