Overview of California State University, Los Angeles

California State University, Los Angeles, is a public research institution with an acceptance rate of 46%. Situated in the University Hills district of Los Angeles, CSULA is one of the 23 institutions in the California State University system. The institution has a large selection of 57 undergraduate and 51 graduate degree programs for students to choose from. Students are backed by a robust 24 to 1 student/faculty ratio, and professors take a personalized approach to the teaching and learning process. Outside of the classroom, students will find plenty of opportunities to engage with the campus community via the university’s many clubs and organizations.

Enrollment

• Total Enrollment: 27,685 (24,002 undergraduates)
• Gender Breakdown: 42 percent male/58 percent female
• 86 percent full-time

Cost of Attendance Information

• Tuition and Fees: $6,769 (in-state); $18,643 (out-of-state)
• Books: $1,250
• Room and Board: $12,918
• Other Expenses: $3,272
• Total Cost: $24,209 (in-state); $36,083 (out-of-state)

Financial Aid Information

• Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 94 percent
• Percentage of New Students Receiving Types of Aid
  • Grants: 93 percent
  • Loans: 20 percent

• Average Amount of Aid
  • Grants: $9,276
  • Loans: $6,451

Academic Programs Offered

• Most Popular Majors: Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Social Sciences; Health Professions and Related Programs; English Language and Literature/Letters; and Psychology

Retention and Graduation

• First-Year Student Retention (full-time students): 82 percent
• Transfer-Out Rate: 3 percent
• 4-Year Graduation Rate: 9 percent
• 6-Year Graduation Rate: 48 percent

NCAA Athletic Programs

• Men’s Sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Soccer, Track and Field
• Women’s Sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Golf, Soccer, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball, Beach Volleyball
• The CSULA Golden Eagles play in the NCAA Division II California Collegiate Athletic Association.

Overview of California State University, Los Angeles Admissions

Cal State Los Angeles accepts fewer than half of applicants and has a selective admissions process. The admission process is not holistic. Applicants must complete an online application, and send test scores from either the SAT or ACT and high school transcripts. Applicants don’t need to send essays or recommendation letters. Instead, admissions are decided by test scores and GPA. This institution wants to see outstanding grades in the most rigorous classes possible; Advanced Placement, IB, Honors, and dual enrollment classes— the more challenging your high school courses were, the better. Interested students should check out the university’s website, which has helpful tips and contact information for the admissions offices.

Admissions Data

Throughout the 2018-19 admissions phase, CSULA had an acceptance rate of 46%.  for every 100 students who submitted applications, 42 gained admission, making CSULA’s admissions process competitive.

SAT Requirements and Scores

Cal State University Los Angles requires that applicants submit either SAT or ACT scores. Throughout the 2018-19 admissions phase, 96% of admitted students provided ACT scores.

This admissions data tells us that CSULA’s admitted students scored in the bottom 29% on the SAT. 50% of students admitted to Cal State Los Angeles scored between 450 and 540 on the reading and writing section, while 25% scored below 450, and 25% scored over 540. 50% of students who gained admission scored 440 and 540 on the math section, while 25% scored below 440, and 25% scored over 540. Students with a cumulative SAT score of 1080 or higher will have competitive chances at Cal State Los Angeles.

ACT Requirements and Scores

Cal State Los Angeles requires that applicants submit either SAT or ACT scores. Throughout the 2018-19 admissions phase, 39% of admitted students provided ACT scores.

This admissions data tells us that Cal State Los Angeles’ admitted students scored in the bottom20% on the ACT. The median 50% of students admitted to CSULA received a cumulative ACT score between 15 and 19, while 25% scored over 19, and 25% scored below 15.

GPA

The average high school GPA for Cal State Los Angeles freshman was 3.24 in 2019. Successful applicants have B grades primarily.

Safety Net Schools: Easy to Gain Admission

If past admission data predicts that you would be a competitive candidate for Cal State Los Angeles, then it should be easy for you to gain admissions to the schools below. If Cal State Los Angeles is currently out of your reach, then you are sure to be a competitive candidate for the schools below.

Alabama State University, College of St. Elizabeth, Albertus Magnus College, Bloomfield College, Texas Southern University, California State University Dominguez Hills, Pine Manor College

Same Tier: Just As Hard to Gain Admission

If you’re a competitive candidate for Cal State Los Angeles, then you should have an equal chance of gaining admissions at these schools.

California State University Fresno, California State University Stanislaus, California State University San Bernardino, California State University Bakersfield, California State University East Bay, Kean University, State University of New York College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill

Reach Institutions: Gaining Admissions Will Be More of a Challenge

These schools are more challenging to gain admission into than Cal State Los Angeles. If you improve your GPA and SAT/ACT scores, then you’ll be a competitive candidate for these schools.

Liberty University, Texas State University, Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis, Georgia State University, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, University of Texas at El Paso, California State University Northridge

Applying to Cal State Los Angeles

Application Deadline: December 15

Undergraduate Admissions Website:

http://www.calstatela.edu/admissions/freshman-application-and-admission

Undergraduate Application Link(s): https://www2.calstate.edu/apply

Graduate Admissions Website:

http://www.calstatela.edu/admissions/graduate-application-and-admission

Graduate Application Link(s): https://www2.calstate.edu/apply