University of California-Los Angeles: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Los Angeles, California · Public · Most selective · CDS 2025-2026
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University of California-Los Angeles is a public university in Los Angeles, California that admits about 9% of applicants, making it a most selective school. The average family pays about $12,548 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Economics, Sociology and Political Science and Government, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 93% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 14.4 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
University of California-Los Angeles is a public institution located in Los Angeles, California and one of the most selective schools in the country. For the most recent reporting cycle, University of California-Los Angeles admits fewer than 1 in 10 applicants, with an overall admission rate of 9%. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $12,548 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What parents should know about University of California-Los Angeles right now
UCLA continues to be the most-applied-to four-year university in the United States. For fall 2025, UCLA received 145,085 first-year applications, admitted 13,659 students for a 9 percent admit rate, and enrolled 6,553 freshmen, with admitted students posting a median weighted GPA of 4.61 and an unweighted 4.00. Admit rates vary sharply by school, ranging from about 11 percent in the College of Letters and Science down to 6.8 percent for Samueli Engineering, 4.3 percent for Theater, Film and Television, and roughly 0.5 percent for Nursing, so families should pay close attention to the school or major their student selects. UCLA is need-blind for domestic applicants and reports that 78 percent of first-years receive financial aid, with 26 percent identifying as first-generation college students. Distinctive academic strengths include a clinical psychology program ranked first nationally, top-ranked fine arts, and the largest pipeline of undergraduate applicants to U.S. medical schools of any American university. Research expenditures totaled $1.72 billion in 2024. Like most University of California campuses, UCLA is test-blind, so SAT and ACT scores will not be reviewed. The 2024 spring protests near Royce Hall and a $6.13 million 2025 settlement related to those events are recent developments parents may see in the news.
What GPA does my child need for University of California-Los Angeles?
59% of enrolled students at University of California-Los Angeles had a high school GPA of 4.0 or above, and the average was 3.94, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.
What does University of California-Los Angeles weight in admissions?
University of California-Los Angeles reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2025-2026). What the weights mean
- • Rigor of secondary school record
- • Academic GPA
- • Application essay
- • Extracurricular activities
- • Talent/ability
- • Character/personal qualities
- • Volunteer work
- • Work experience
SAT and ACT scores University of California-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: University of California-Los Angeles does not consider SAT or ACT scores in admission decisions, even if submitted.
- • Policy detail: Not considered
How much does University of California-Los Angeles actually cost?
Published tuition is $15,203 for in-state students and $49,403 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $18,369 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $12,548 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 28% of students receive Pell Grants.
| In-state tuition | — |
| Room and board | — |
| Average net price (after aid) | $12,548 |
| Application fee | $70 (waivers available) |
Application deadlines and early decision data for University of California-Los Angeles
Will my child graduate from University of California-Los Angeles?
These predict outcomes at University of California-Los Angeles better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at University of California-Los Angeles
The most popular undergraduate programs at University of California-Los Angeles, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Economics, Sociology and Political Science and Government. Across all programs, University of California-Los Angeles confers roughly 4,372 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Economics program report a median income of about $100,784 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Economics | 861 | $100,784 |
| Sociology | 696 | $64,677 |
| Political Science and Government | 675 | $75,578 |
| Psychology, General | 648 | $65,954 |
| Biology, General | 413 | $75,609 |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | 383 | $78,384 |
| Computer Science | 349 | — |
| Applied Mathematics | 347 | $95,647 |
Is University of California-Los Angeles safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), University of California-Los Angeles disclosed 481 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 14.4 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 51 violent offenses and 118 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
What is campus life like at University of California-Los Angeles?
About 42% of undergraduates at University of California-Los Angeles live in campus housing, so a meaningful share of students commute or live off campus. 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
- University of Southern California10% acceptance
- University of California-Davis42% acceptance
- University of California-Irvine29% acceptance
- University of California-San Diego27% acceptance
- University of California-Santa Barbara33% acceptance
- University of California-Santa Cruz66% acceptance
- University of California-Riverside76% acceptance
- University of California-Merced91% acceptance
Next steps for University of California-Los Angeles
Common questions parents ask about University of California-Los Angeles
What GPA do I need for University of California-Los Angeles?
59% of enrolled students at University of California-Los Angeles had a high school GPA of 4.0 or above, and the average was 3.94, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.
What SAT or ACT score does University of California-Los Angeles typically admit?
University of California-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 University of California-Los Angeles actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at University of California-Los Angeles after grants and scholarships is $12,548 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $15,203 and $49,403 out of state. Budget against the net figure.
Is University of California-Los Angeles realistic for my child?
University of California-Los Angeles admits 9% of applicants, so the transcript and course rigour carry the decision, with no published score band to place against. Then check the $12,548 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at University of California-Los Angeles?
University of California-Los Angeles accepts about 9% of applicants out of roughly 145,086 who apply each year. That makes it a most selective school.
Is University of California-Los Angeles test-optional?
University of California-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 University of California-Los Angeles?
About 93% of students at University of California-Los Angeles graduate within six years. 97% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.
What does University of California-Los Angeles look for in applicants?
University of California-Los Angeles 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 University of California-Los Angeles a public or private school, and where is it located?
University of California-Los Angeles is a public institution located in Los Angeles, California.
What are the most popular majors at University of California-Los Angeles?
The largest undergraduate majors at University of California-Los Angeles by annual graduates are Economics, Sociology and Political Science and Government. The school awards about 4,372 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is University of California-Los Angeles safe? What is its campus crime rate?
University of California-Los Angeles reported 481 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 14.4 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 University of California-Los Angeles?
At University of California-Los Angeles, 42% of undergraduates live on campus, according to its most recent Common Data Set.
Sources: the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by University of California-Los Angeles, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers