Loyola Marymount University: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes

Los Angeles, California · Private nonprofit · Selective · CDS 2025-2026

Admission at a glance

Common Data Set 2025-2026

  • Test-optional
  • Early Decision
  • Early Decision II
  • Early Action
22,798
Applicants
10,992
Admitted48%
1,536
Enrolled
14%
Yield rate

Selectivity

Selective48% admitted
AccessibleHighly selective
Avg SAT
1359
In-state tuition
$68,042
per year, before aid (CDS 2025-2026)
Net price (avg)
$48,381
after aid, what families pay

Ranked #109 (tie) in National Universities; Business Programs #83 (tie), Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs #22 (tie), Computer Science #155 (tie), Economics #122 (tie)U.S. News & World Report, Best Colleges 2027

Admission figures come from the 2025-2026 Common Data Set published by Loyola Marymount University (see the source), read on 2026-09-20. The admission-factor grid was re-read from that file to confirm each weighting.

Is Loyola Marymount University a reach, target or safety for your student?

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Quick answer

Loyola Marymount University is a private nonprofit university in Los Angeles, California that admits about 48% of applicants, making it a selective school. The average family pays about $48,381 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Psychology, General, Marketing and Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 79% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 7.9 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.

Loyola Marymount University is a private institution located in Los Angeles, California with a selective admissions profile. For the most recent reporting cycle, Loyola Marymount University admits between a quarter and half of applicants, with an overall admission rate of 48%. Admitted students typically post an average SAT of 1359 and an ACT composite around 30. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $48,381 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.

What GPA does my child need for Loyola Marymount University?

50% of enrolled students at Loyola Marymount University had a high school GPA of 4.0 or above, and the average was 3.98, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.

Actual GPA distribution of admitted students
4.00
50.5%
3.75–3.99
28.5%
3.50–3.74
15.6%
3.25–3.49
4.1%
3.00–3.24
1.2%
2.50–2.99
0.1%
Below 2.50
0.1%
From the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by Loyola Marymount University.

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What does Loyola Marymount University weight in admissions?

Loyola Marymount University reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2025-2026). What the weights mean

Very Important

3
  • Rigor of secondary school record
  • Academic GPA
  • Application essay

Important

3
  • Recommendations
  • Talent/ability
  • Character/personal qualities

Considered

6
  • Class rank
  • Standardized test scores
  • Extracurricular activities
  • First generation status
  • Volunteer work
  • Work experience

Not Considered

6
  • Interview
  • Alumni/ae relation
  • Geographical residence
  • State residency
  • Religious affiliation/commitment
  • Level of applicant's interest

How Loyola Marymount University reads an application: what each weighting means for your child, plus waitlist, transfer and early-round odds

SAT and ACT scores Loyola Marymount University typically admits

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 620–710, with an EBRW midpoint near 660. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 28–32. A score at or above this school's 75th percentile materially improves your child's odds, particularly when paired with a rigorous course load.

SAT Composite
25th percentilen/a
50th percentile1359
75th percentilen/a
% submitting SAT20%
ACT Composite
25th percentile28
50th percentile30
75th percentile33
% submitting ACT7%
Current testing policy
  • • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
  • • Test-optional; no minimum GPA or test score.
  • • Checked for Fall 2027 applicants on Loyola Marymount University's admissions site. Policies change; confirm before you apply.

Where admitted students ranked in their high school class

Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort, often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.

Top 10% of class28%
Top 25% of class67%
Top 50% of class93%
% submitting class rank23%

How much does Loyola Marymount University actually cost?

Published tuition is $62,357 for in-state students and $62,357 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $22,026 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $48,381 per year, and that is the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 13% of students receive Pell Grants.

In-state tuition$68,042
Room and board$21,661
Average net price (after aid)$48,381
Share of financial need metaverage, for students with need71%
Average need-based grant$39,722
Average merit award, no financial need845 first-year students received one$12,155
Graduates who borrowed39%
Average debt at graduationamong those who borrowed$33,482
Financial aid formsFAFSA only (no CSS Profile)College Board 2026-27 list
Application fee$75 (waivers available)

Application deadlines and early decision data for Loyola Marymount University

Regular admission
Regular deadline1/15
Notification datePlan dependent
Reply deadline5/1
Early admission
Offers Early DecisionYes
ED deadlineNovember 1
Offers Early Decision IIYes
ED II deadlineJanuary 8
ED acceptance rate (all rounds)42%
Offers Early ActionYes
EA deadlineNovember 1

Will my child graduate from Loyola Marymount University?

These predict outcomes at Loyola Marymount University better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates

Freshman retention
88.7%
returned for sophomore year
4-year graduation
66.3%
finished on time
6-year graduation
78.8%
finished within 6 years

Most popular majors at Loyola Marymount University

The most popular undergraduate programs at Loyola Marymount University, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Psychology, General, Marketing and Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft. Across all programs, Loyola Marymount University confers roughly 927 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Psychology, General program report a median income of about $64,365 five years after entering college. What these figures mean

MajorGraduates / yearMedian earnings (5 yrs out)
Psychology, General158$64,365
Marketing154$82,022
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft134$46,410
Communication and Media Studies125$70,036
Finance and Financial Management Services115$116,165
Political Science and Government91$73,765
Economics79$83,849
Film/Video and Photographic Arts71$45,035
Bachelor's-degree completions from federal IPEDS data; earnings from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Is Loyola Marymount University safe? Campus crime & safety

In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Loyola Marymount University disclosed 56 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 7.9 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 2 violent offenses and 13 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts

Total offenses
56
7.9 per 1,000 students
Violent crime
2
0.28 per 1,000
Sexual assault / VAWA
13
1.83 per 1,000
Burglary
5
reported incidents
Clery Act 2024, rates per 7,094 enrolled.

What is campus life like at Loyola Marymount University?

About 48% of undergraduates at Loyola Marymount University live in campus housing, so a meaningful share of students commute or live off campus. In Greek life, 14% of men join a fraternity and 26% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.

Live on campus
48%
of undergraduates
Classes under 20 students
54%
of course sections
Classes of 100 or more
0%
of course sections
In fraternities
14%
of men
In sororities
26%
of women
From the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by Loyola Marymount University.

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Common questions parents ask about Loyola Marymount University

What GPA do I need for Loyola Marymount University?

50% of enrolled students at Loyola Marymount University had a high school GPA of 4.0 or above, and the average was 3.98, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.

What SAT or ACT score does Loyola Marymount University typically admit?

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 620–710, with an EBRW midpoint near 660. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 28–32.

How much does Loyola Marymount University actually cost after financial aid?

The average net price at Loyola Marymount University after grants and scholarships is $48,381 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $62,357. Budget against the net figure.

Is Loyola Marymount University realistic for my child?

Loyola Marymount University admits 48% of applicants, so 620–710 SAT Math is target range and below 620 is a reach. Then check the $48,381 average net price against what your family can carry.

What is the acceptance rate at Loyola Marymount University?

Loyola Marymount University accepts about 48% of applicants out of roughly 22,798 who apply each year. That makes it a selective school.

Is Loyola Marymount University test-optional?

Yes. Loyola Marymount University is test-optional for Fall 2027 applicants, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.

What is the graduation rate at Loyola Marymount University?

About 79% of students at Loyola Marymount University graduate within six years, and 66% finish in four years. 89% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.

Does applying Early Decision improve my chances at Loyola Marymount University?

Loyola Marymount University's Early Decision acceptance rate is about 42%, compared with its overall rate of 48%. The ED rate is not materially higher here, so weigh the binding commitment carefully.

What does Loyola Marymount University look for in applicants?

Loyola Marymount University rates course rigor, GPA and the application essay as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.

Is Loyola Marymount University a public or private school, and where is it located?

Loyola Marymount University is a private nonprofit institution located in Los Angeles, California.

What are the most popular majors at Loyola Marymount University?

The largest undergraduate majors at Loyola Marymount University by annual graduates are Psychology, General, Marketing and Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft. The school awards about 927 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.

Is Loyola Marymount University safe? What is its campus crime rate?

Loyola Marymount University reported 56 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 7.9 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.

What is campus life like at Loyola Marymount University?

At Loyola Marymount University, 48% of undergraduates live on campus, 14% of men are in fraternities, 26% of women are in sororities, according to its most recent Common Data Set.

Sources: the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by Loyola Marymount University, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers