What will I pay?
A guide for new undergraduate students
When you are admitted to Cal Lutheran, you and your family might have a lot of questions
about how you’ll cover the costs of tuition, housing and other necessities.
We can tell you this — it costs less than you think.
Will you be living on campus?
2025-26 cost
This includes:
We do our best to make sure everyone who is admitted to Cal Lutheran can afford it.
In fact, 100% of new undergraduate students received scholarships and grants last year, and the average amount was $35,757.
We have students from all economic backgrounds.
Aid Amount
(excluding loans)
Family income of first-year students
There are three main types of financial aid you might qualify to receive. We'll work with you and your family to put together the best possible financial aid package.
We offer a range of scholarships based on academic merit and other criteria.
This is money that does not need to be repaid.
Find scholarshipsThere are a variety of federal, state, and university grants that are awarded based on financial need.
This is also money that does not need to be repaid.
Find grantsCal Lutheran participates in several low-interest federal loan programs for students.
Additional loans are also available to parents.
Aid Package
Your financial aid package combines all of these items to help you cover the cost of your education.
We also provide a work-study program that allows you to have a part-time job on campus while building your resume and time management skills. If you choose to work on campus, the money you earn can be considered as part of your financial aid package.
Cost of Attendance
Cost of Attendance (COA) is an estimate of your costs as a student at Cal Lutheran for the academic year. It includes tuition, mandatory fees, estimated amounts for books and supplies, housing and food, personal expenses, and transportation.
Use the Net Price Calculator
The best way to get a personalized estimate of what you might pay is to use our calculator. Take a few minutes to answer some questions and you'll get an estimate you can save and print out.
All fees are subject to change without notice. The University reserves the right to change, delete or add to this pricing schedule as deemed appropriate.
The very first step in applying for financial aid is to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act Application (CADAA).
The FAFSA is used to determine if you qualify you for need-based assistance programs such as government grants, institutional scholarships and and federal subsidized loans.
The CADAA is used by undocumented students who meet the eligibility requirements of California Assembly Bill 540 and come from a lower income household or qualify for need-based aid.
When filling out your FAFSA/CADAA, use Cal Lutheran's school code: 001133