California State University-Los Angeles: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Los Angeles, California · Public · Open access · CDS 2024-2025
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California State University-Los Angeles is a public university in Los Angeles, California that admits about 91% of applicants, making it a open access school. The average family pays about $3,967 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Business Administration, Management and Operations, Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods and Sociology, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 53% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 2.0 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
California State University-Los Angeles is a public institution located in Los Angeles, California. For the most recent reporting cycle, California State University-Los Angeles admits the majority of qualified applicants, with an overall admission rate of 91%. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $3,967 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for California State University-Los Angeles?
California State University-Los Angeles has a broadly accessible admissions profile, and most students who complete a standard college-prep curriculum with a 3.0 GPA or higher are competitive for admission.
What does California State University-Los Angeles weight in admissions?
California State University-Los Angeles reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2024-2025). What the weights mean
- • Academic GPA
SAT and ACT scores California State University-Los Angeles typically admits
Many applicants to schools in this tier submit test scores, though the policy varies by year — check the latest test-optional status before deciding.
- • Test-blind: California State University-Los Angeles does not consider SAT or ACT scores in admission decisions, even if submitted.
- • Policy detail: Not considered
How much does California State University-Los Angeles actually cost?
Published tuition is $7,160 for in-state students and $19,760 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $19,696 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $3,967 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 66% of students receive Pell Grants.
| In-state tuition | $6,084 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $24,768 |
| Room and board | — |
| Average net price (after aid) | $3,967 |
| Application fee | $70 (waivers available) |
Application deadlines and early decision data for California State University-Los Angeles
Will my child graduate from California State University-Los Angeles?
These predict outcomes at California State University-Los Angeles better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at California State University-Los Angeles
The most popular undergraduate programs at California State University-Los Angeles, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Business Administration, Management and Operations, Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods and Sociology. Across all programs, California State University-Los Angeles confers roughly 2,860 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Business Administration, Management and Operations program report a median income of about $64,019 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 726 | $64,019 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 391 | $46,726 |
| Sociology | 350 | $54,833 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 348 | $56,580 |
| Psychology, General | 343 | — |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 242 | $57,102 |
| Communication and Media Studies | 233 | — |
| Social Work | 227 | $59,861 |
Is California State University-Los Angeles safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), California State University-Los Angeles disclosed 39 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 2.0 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 5 violent offenses and 7 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
Other colleges in California parents ask about
Next steps for California State University-Los Angeles
Common questions parents ask about California State University-Los Angeles
What GPA do I need for California State University-Los Angeles?
California State University-Los Angeles has a broadly accessible admissions profile, and most students who complete a standard college-prep curriculum with a 3.0 GPA or higher are competitive for admission.
What SAT or ACT score does California State University-Los Angeles typically admit?
California State University-Los Angeles is test-blind: SAT and ACT scores are not considered in admission decisions, even if you submit them. There is no score range because scores are not read.
How much does California State University-Los Angeles actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at California State University-Los Angeles after grants and scholarships is $3,967 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $7,160 and $19,760 out of state. Budget against the net figure.
Is California State University-Los Angeles realistic for my child?
California State University-Los Angeles admits 91% of applicants, so the transcript and course rigour carry the decision, with no published score band to place against. Then check the $3,967 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at California State University-Los Angeles?
California State University-Los Angeles accepts about 91% of applicants out of roughly 32,723 who apply each year. It admits the majority of qualified applicants.
Is California State University-Los Angeles test-optional?
California State University-Los Angeles is test-blind: it does not consider SAT or ACT scores in admission decisions, even if you submit them.
What is the graduation rate at California State University-Los Angeles?
About 53% of students at California State University-Los Angeles graduate within six years, and 25% finish in four years. 72% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.
What does California State University-Los Angeles look for in applicants?
California State University-Los Angeles rates GPA as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.
Is California State University-Los Angeles a public or private school, and where is it located?
California State University-Los Angeles is a public institution located in Los Angeles, California.
What are the most popular majors at California State University-Los Angeles?
The largest undergraduate majors at California State University-Los Angeles by annual graduates are Business Administration, Management and Operations, Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods and Sociology. The school awards about 2,860 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is California State University-Los Angeles safe? What is its campus crime rate?
California State University-Los Angeles reported 39 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 2.0 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
Sources: the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by California State University-Los Angeles, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers