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% admittedRanked #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?
Enter a GPA and course load and the calculator places Loyola Marymount University against it in about a minute. No account needed.
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.
Compare Loyola Marymount University with the other schools on your list
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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
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.
| 25th percentile | n/a |
| 50th percentile | 1359 |
| 75th percentile | n/a |
| % submitting SAT | 20% |
| 25th percentile | 28 |
| 50th percentile | 30 |
| 75th percentile | 33 |
| % submitting ACT | 7% |
- • 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 class | 28% |
| Top 25% of class | 67% |
| Top 50% of class | 93% |
| % submitting class rank | 23% |
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 need | 71% |
| Average need-based grant | $39,722 |
| Average merit award, no financial need845 first-year students received one | $12,155 |
| Graduates who borrowed | 39% |
| Average debt at graduationamong those who borrowed | $33,482 |
| Financial aid forms | FAFSA 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 deadline | 1/15 |
| Notification date | Plan dependent |
| Reply deadline | 5/1 |
| Offers Early Decision | Yes |
| ED deadline | November 1 |
| Offers Early Decision II | Yes |
| ED II deadline | January 8 |
| ED acceptance rate (all rounds) | 42% |
| Offers Early Action | Yes |
| EA deadline | November 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
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
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Psychology, General | 158 | $64,365 |
| Marketing | 154 | $82,022 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | 134 | $46,410 |
| Communication and Media Studies | 125 | $70,036 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 115 | $116,165 |
| Political Science and Government | 91 | $73,765 |
| Economics | 79 | $83,849 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | 71 | $45,035 |
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
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.
Other colleges in California parents ask about
- Santa Clara University48% acceptance
- University of the Pacific71% acceptance
- University of San Diego52% acceptance
- University of San Francisco62% acceptance
- Pepperdine University63% acceptance
- Chapman University65% acceptance
- Saint Mary's College of California87% acceptance
- California State University-Chico93% acceptance
Next steps for Loyola Marymount University
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