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California State University, Los Angeles

public · Founded 1947 · Los Angeles, CA

Acceptance Rate

91.90%

Enrollment

25,080

Tuition & Fees

$7,894

Graduation Rate

53.00%

Retention Rate

73.00%

Off-Campus Needed

22,321

Cal State LA Report Card

Letter grades compare this school against national university benchmarks.

Academics

Selectivity, test scores, retention, and faculty access.

C-
Raw z-score: -1.13

Value

Cost, aid, grants, and post-graduation earnings.

A+
Raw z-score: 1.25

Diversity

Economic access, geographic mix, and gender balance.

C
Raw z-score: -0.65

Location

Safety, walkability, transit, and student nightlife.

-
Insufficient data

Campus

Housing capacity, student body scale, and campus setting.

C-
Raw z-score: -0.75

Outcomes

Graduation, retention, employment, and earnings.

C
Raw z-score: -1.08

Grades are benchmarked against national profile data. View methodology

California State University, Los Angeles is a public university serving over 28,000 students. Founded in 1947, it's known for strong programs in business, education, engineering, and health sciences, with one of the most diverse student bodies in the nation.

Can You Get Into Cal State LA?

Cal State LA admitted just 30,106 of 32,748 applicants — a 91.90% acceptance rate

Admissions Snapshot

Acceptance Rate91.90%
School
State avg

140% above state avg

Total Applicants32,748
Students Admitted30,106
Students Enrolled3,614
Yield Rate12.00%
School
State avg

58% below state avg

Your odds at this school

Coming to Cal State LA from out of state?

1% of freshmen aren't from California. If you're moving for Cal State LA, start your housing search early — only 11.00% of students can live on campus.

Browse Housing Near Cal State LA

What Will Cal State LA Cost You?

Most students don't pay sticker price — 85.00% receive financial aid

Sticker Price

Tuition$6,818
School
National avg

89% below national avg

Fees$1,076
Room (on-campus)$10,198
Board (meal plan)$5,346
Total Cost of Attendance$23,438

Financial Aid & Grants

Students receiving any aid85.00%
Average grant amount$11,682/yr

Your estimated net price

On-Campus vs. Off-Campus Housing Cost

Cal State LA's on-campus room and board adds up to $15,544 per year ($1,295/month). Many students find that off-campus apartments offer more space, kitchen access, and flexibility — often at a lower monthly cost.

On-CampusOff-Campus (avg)
Annual Housing$10,198Varies
Monthly Equivalent$850/moSee listings
Meal Plan$5,346 (required)Flexible
Availability2,483 beds onlyHundreds of options

What Can You Study at Cal State LA?

Most Popular Undergraduate Majors

1

Business Administration and Management, General.

896 graduates · 49.11% women

2

Psychology, General.

412 graduates · 78.88% women

3

Early Childhood Education and Teaching.

402 graduates · 97.01% women

4

Sociology, General.

394 graduates · 78.17% women

5

Criminal Justice/Safety Studies.

367 graduates · 59.4% women

6

Social Work.

279 graduates · 84.95% women

7

Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness, General.

223 graduates · 56.05% women

8

Speech Communication and Rhetoric.

188 graduates · 65.43% women

9

Radio and Television.

171 graduates · 43.86% women

10

Computer Science.

170 graduates · 10.59% women

Your major at this school

Grad students need housing too

With 3,553 graduate students and only 2,483 total dorm beds, most grad students live off campus.

See Apartments Popular with Grad Students

What's It Like at Cal State LA?

Los Angeles, CA — city

Student Body

Total Enrollment25,080
Undergraduates21,527
Graduate Students3,553
Full-Time20,113 (80%)
Part-Time4,967 (20%)
Women58.00%

Where Freshmen Come From

Out-of-State
0%
California
99%
International
1%

From your state to this school

Student Demographics

White
5%
International
9%
Asian
10%
Hispanic
74%
Black
4%
Two or More
2%
Not Reported
2%

Neighborhoods near Cal State LA

Where students live around California State University, Los Angeles — vibe, walkability, and commute at a glance.

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How Does Cal State LA Compare?

Institutional resources and student-faculty ratios

Student-Faculty Ratio

19:1

Peer Institutions

Schools that Cal State LA reports as peers for academic and admissions benchmarking.

122409
122755

Will You Succeed at Cal State LA?

73.00% of freshmen return for sophomore year — 53.00% graduate within 6 years

Graduation Rates

First-Year Retention73.00%
School
State avg

20% below state avg

4-Year Graduation Rate21.00%
5-Year Graduation Rate44.00%
6-Year Graduation Rate53.00%
School
State avg

35% below state avg

National Average (6-year)53%
Cal State LA
53.00%
Natl Avg
53%

6-Year Graduation by Group

Asian Students69.00%
White Students55.00%
Black Students40.00%
Hispanic Students51.00%
Women58.00%
Men46.00%

Cal State LA Reviews

Student perspectives on academics, campus life, and housing fit

Be the first student to review this university.

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22,321 Cal State LA Students Need Off-Campus Housing

With 25,080 students and only 2,483 dorm beds, 89% of Cal State LA students live off campus.

21,527

Undergraduates

3,553

Graduate Students

22,321

Need Off-Campus Housing

Data Sources: U.S. Department of Education IPEDS, National Center for Education Statistics. University Apartments is not affiliated with California State University, Los Angeles.