UCLA: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Officially University of California-Los Angeles · Los Angeles, California · Public · Most selective · CDS 2025-2026
Admission at a glance
Common Data Set 2025-2026
- Test-blind
- 145,086
- Applicants
- 13,659
- Admitted9%
- 6,553
- Enrolled
- 48%
- Yield rate
Selectivity
Most selective9% admittedRanked #20 (tie) in National Universities; Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs #17 (tie), Computer Science #14 (tie), Nursing #19 (tie), Psychology Programs #4 (tie)U.S. News & World Report, Best Colleges 2027
Admission figures come from the 2025-2026 Common Data Set published by University of California-Los Angeles (see the source), read on 2026-09-07. The admission-factor grid was re-read from that file to confirm each weighting.
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Open in College SearchUCLA 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.
UCLA 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, UCLA 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 UCLA 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 UCLA?
59% of enrolled students at UCLA 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 UCLA weight in admissions?
UCLA 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
5- Extracurricular activities
- Talent/ability
- Character/personal qualities
- Volunteer work
- Work experience
Considered
3- First generation status
- Geographical residence
- State residency
Not Considered
7- Class rank
- Standardized test scores
- Recommendations
- Interview
- Alumni/ae relation
- Religious affiliation/commitment
- Level of applicant's interest
SAT and ACT scores UCLA typically admits
Many applicants to schools in this tier submit test scores, though the policy varies by year, so check the latest test-optional status before deciding.
- • Test-blind: UCLA does not consider SAT or ACT scores in admission decisions, even if submitted.
- • UC test-blind: SAT/ACT not considered for admission or scholarships; may be used for eligibility minimums or placement.
- • Checked for Fall 2027 applicants on UCLA's admissions site. Policies change; confirm before you apply.
How much does UCLA 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, and that is 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 |
| Financial aid forms | FAFSA only (no CSS Profile)College Board 2026-27 list |
| Application fee | $70 (waivers available) |
Application deadlines and early decision data for UCLA
| Regular deadline | November 30 |
| Notification date | March 31 |
| Reply deadline | May 1 |
Will my child graduate from UCLA?
These predict outcomes at UCLA better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at UCLA
The most popular undergraduate programs at UCLA, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Economics, Sociology and Political Science and Government. Across all programs, UCLA 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 | n/a |
| Applied Mathematics | 347 | $95,647 |
Is UCLA safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), UCLA 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 UCLA?
About 42% of undergraduates at UCLA 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 UCLA
Common questions parents ask about UCLA
What GPA do I need for UCLA?
59% of enrolled students at UCLA 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 UCLA typically admit?
UCLA 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 UCLA actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at UCLA 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 UCLA realistic for my child?
UCLA 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 UCLA?
UCLA accepts about 9% of applicants out of roughly 145,086 who apply each year. That makes it a most selective school.
Is UCLA test-optional?
UCLA is test-blind for Fall 2027 applicants: it does not consider SAT or ACT scores in admission decisions, even if you submit them.
What is the graduation rate at UCLA?
About 93% of students at UCLA graduate within six years, and 86% finish in four years. 97% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.
What does UCLA look for in applicants?
UCLA 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 UCLA a public or private school, and where is it located?
UCLA is a public institution located in Los Angeles, California.
What are the most popular majors at UCLA?
The largest undergraduate majors at UCLA 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 UCLA safe? What is its campus crime rate?
UCLA 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 UCLA?
At UCLA, 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