Los Angeles, CA Overview
California State University-Los Angeles is a public 4-year college located in Los Angeles, California. There are currently 22,690 undergraduates at Cal State LA and the school’s acceptance rate is 87%. The tuition at Cal State LA is $6,805 for in-state students and $18,685 for out-of-state.
University
City
Student Body
Undergraduate Students
22,690
Pell Grant 66%
Undergrad Students Over 25 24%
Part-Time Undergrad Students 18%
Percent Male / Female 42% / 58%
Ethnic Diversity at Cal State LA
76% Hispanic
11% Asian / Pacific Islander
4% White
4% Black
2% Unknown
1% Multiracial
1% International / Non-Citizen
Academics Snapshot
Student/Faculty Ratio
22:1
Graduation Rate
51%
Popular Majors
Percent of Students
Business, Management, & Marketing
14%
14% of graduates
Social Sciences
10%
10% of graduates
Health Professions & Related Programs
10%
10% of graduates
Education
8%
8% of graduates
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting & Related Protective Services
7%
7% of graduates
Communications & Journalism
7%
7% of graduates
Psychology
7%
7% of graduates
Engineering
5%
5% of graduates
Visual & Performing Arts
5%
5% of graduates
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies
5%
5% of graduates
Computer & Information Sciences
5%
5% of graduates
Public Administration & Social Services
4%
4% of graduates
Biological & Biomedical Sciences
4%
4% of graduates
Liberal Arts & Humanities
3%
3% of graduates
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies.
2%
2% of graduates
English Language & Literature
1%
1% of graduates
History
1%
1% of graduates
Mathematics
1%
1% of graduates
Physical Sciences
1%
1% of graduates
Engineering
1%
1% of graduates
Languages & Literatures
1%
1% of graduates
Area, Ethnic, Cultural, & Gender Studies
1%
1% of graduates
Scholarships & Financial Aid Snapshot
$30,689
$37,184
$5,385
Cost Breakdown
In-State
In-State Estimated Cost:
$30,689for the 2023-2024 Academic Year
Out-of-State
Out-Of-State Estimated Cost:
$42,569for the 2023-2024 Academic Year
Since Cal State LA is a public university, there are different costs for in-state students and out-of-state students. The sticker price at Cal State LA is $30,689 for in-state students in CA, and $42,569 for out-of-state students. This sticker price includes costs for tuition, books and supplies, room and board, and other miscellaneous expenses.
It’s also important to note that the cost of attendance can vary from year to year and typically it will rise over your four years in college. With that said, your financial aid will also be recalculated every year to take any price increases, as well as any changes in your financial situation, into account.
College costs can look different for every student based on their financial situation. To get a more accurate picture of what tuition at Cal State LA would look like for you, try entering your financial information into their Net Price Calculator.
Using State Grants at Cal State LA
If you reside in California and are considering Cal State LA, be sure to investigate the Cal Grant. You can apply by submitting your FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application, but you must meet the program's deadline in order to qualify. If you meet financial and other requirements, you may receive over $14,000 per year towards education expenses. The amount received depends on the type of institution you attend and your financial need.
Apply to these scholarships due soon
See more California scholarships
California State University-Los Angeles Financial Aid
Students who are applying for financial aid at California State University-Los Angeles need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA). The FAFSA uses financial information from the prior, prior year which means that you don’t need to wait for the year to end and can use last year’s financial information.
The FAFSA code for California State University-Los Angeles is 001140.
If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA, check out our How to Complete the FAFSA Guide.
Western Undergraduate Tuition Exchange
Cal State LA is in a state that participates in the Western Undergraduate Tuition Exchange program. That means if you are a resident of Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, or Wyoming, you may be eligible for discounted tuition at Cal State LA. Check out the full list of requirements and participating schools on their website.
Pell Grants at California State University-Los Angeles
74% of students at California State University-Los Angeles receive Pell Grants, which are awarded to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need (students who have a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible). Pell Grants are awarded by the federal government and do not need to be repaid. To apply for a Pell Grant, students will need to submit their FAFSA. If you are awarded a Pell Grant, you’ll see it listed in your financial aid award letter if you are accepted to California State University-Los Angeles.
You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.
Outside Scholarships
Cal State LA students can also apply for outside scholarships to fund their education. Outside scholarships are awards that are offered by private and non-profit organizations. If you want to see what outside scholarships you are eligible for, check out these resources:
California State University-Los Angeles Financial Aid Resources
If you are looking for more information about financial aid and scholarships at Cal State LA or have questions that are specific to your personal situation, we recommend that you reach out directly to the financial aid office!
Here’s how you can get in touch:
- Website: https://www.calstatela.edu/financialaid
- Phone: 323-343-6260
Admissions Snapshot
87%
Is Cal State LA test-optional?
California State University-Los Angeles is test-blind, which means that it does not allow applicants to submit their SAT or ACT scores. That means that they won’t consider these scores from any applicant. Decisions are based more heavily on grades, extracurricular activities, essays, interviews, and other factors.
Regular Decision
What is the application deadline at Cal State LA?
Students must apply by November 30 to enroll at Cal State LA during the fall semester. Remember that college applications involve many pieces, including essays, a transcript, letters of recommendation, and more. Be sure to start your application as soon as you can to make sure you have enough time to make it as compelling as possible.
Student Outcomes Snapshot
Graduate Income
$59,211
Median Debt $13,000
Debt 10 years after graduation $138
Graduation Rate 51%
What is the graduation rate at California State University-Los Angeles?
51% of students who start at California State University-Los Angeles end up finishing their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 7% less than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.
How much do graduates of California State University-Los Angeles go on to earn?
10 years after starting school at California State University-Los Angeles, the median earnings among students who received federal financial aid was $59,211. This is $8,820 more than the national median.
Earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Your major and career path can cause substantial changes in your income down the line. For more information, check out our article on the average starting salary out of college.
How much do students at Cal State LA take out in loans?
Graduates of Cal State LA have to take out a median of $13,000 in federal student loans. This is $500 less than the national median. As you make decisions about your college loans, it’s important to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Our guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.
Data Sources
We strive to provide users with the most up-to-date information and source data from publicly available sources, including the College Scorecard and directly from the colleges. College statistics can change throughout the year, but we do our best to update them as quickly as possible. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.
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