U.S. News Ranks CLU Among Top 20 Schools in the West

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – August 19, 2004 – For the 10th straight year, California Lutheran University has been placed in the top tier of Western Regional Universities in the U.S. News & World Report annual rankings. The selective liberal arts and science university ranked 18th among schools (from Texas to the West Coast) offering quality bachelor's and master's degrees.

CLU has consistently remained in the top 25 in the rigorous ranking system of universities in the western United States. The rankings were released this week on the U.S. News & World Report Web site (www.usnews.com). The rankings will be posted in a September edition of the U.S. News & World Report magazine and in the U.S. News & World Report America's Best Colleges Guide 2004.

“The university is pleased to be ranked among the top universities in the western United States,” said Dr. A. Joseph Everson, Interim Provost. “However, we are most proud of the accomplishments of individual students and of the efforts of committed faculty members who have helped students to prepare for meaningful life and work. These accomplishments and efforts cannot always be measured by U.S. News, but we feel that they are equally important,” Everson added.

Based on high scores in several key categories, CLU has maintained its spot as 18th among top institutions in the West. Peer institutions are ranking CLU higher, and significant strides have been made in increasing the graduation rates, the percentage of faculty who are full time, and in SAT/ACT percentiles. CLU consistently ranks high with respect to freshman retention rates and the percentage of classes with fewer than 20 students.

CLU, an independent university affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, is located midway between Santa Barbara and Los Angeles. Founded in 1959, CLU is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. The university has satellite campuses in Glendale, Ventura and Woodland Hills.

Serving nearly 2,000 undergraduates and 1,000 graduate students, CLU offers 36 majors along with professional preparation programs in specified fields of study. Master's degree programs are offered in education, psychology, business administration, public policy and administration, and computer science. A doctoral program in educational leadership is offered through the School of Education. Members of the CLU student body come from more than 30 states and 30 countries and represent a diversity of faiths and cultures.

For a complete listing of U.S. News & World Report rankings, visit www.usnews.com. A copy of the Western Region Universities (Master's) rankings is attached to this release.