California Lutheran University vs Occidental College: which has better ROI?
Occidental College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $153,052 in 5.5 years versus 5.9 years at California Lutheran University, on median earnings of $75,951 vs $68,712 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | California Lutheran University | Occidental College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $30,109 | $38,263 |
| Total net cost | $120,436 | $153,052 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $68,712 | $75,951 |
| Median debt | $21,669 | $23,000 |
| Payback | 5.9 yrs | 5.5 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $286,604 | $398,768 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, California Lutheran University or Occidental College?
California Lutheran University, at $30,109 a year after aid versus $38,263 — a gap of $8,154 a year, or $32,616 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do California Lutheran University or Occidental College graduates earn more?
Occidental College graduates report a median $75,951 ten years after entry, $7,239 more than the $68,712 at California Lutheran University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, California Lutheran University or Occidental College?
California Lutheran University: its completers carry a median $21,669 in federal loans versus $23,000 at Occidental College, a difference of $1,331. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
81% of students finish at Occidental College, against 70% at California Lutheran University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.