Overview
Enrollment
| Location | Los Angeles, California |
| Online | calstatela.edu |
| School Type | Public 4 Year |
| Setting | Large City |
| Size | Large |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad/Graduate |
California State University, Los Angeles is located in the eastern region of Los Angeles, situated on a hilltop site that offers views of the San Gabriel Mountains and downtown LA. The 175-acre urban campus, established in 1947, features a mix of modern and mid-century buildings connected by walkways and green spaces. Known for its engineering, business, and nursing programs, Cal State LA operates on a semester system and maintains selective admission standards for both undergraduate and graduate programs. The university primarily serves commuter students from the greater Los Angeles area, though on-campus housing is available in several residential communities. The Cal State LA Golden Eagles compete in NCAA Division II athletics, with notable achievements in women's volleyball and men's soccer.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
Cal State LA is rated within the lower 30% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 4 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for California State University Los Angeles within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#941 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#384 in Best Public Colleges in the U.S.
#57 in Best Colleges in California
#26 in Best Public Colleges in California
#67 in Best Value Colleges in California
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 870/1060 |
| ACT | 15/20 |
| GPA | 3.31 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | Jan 19, 2025 |
| Applicant Competition | Very Low |
| Application Fee | $70 |
Annual Cost to Attend
California Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,011 |
| Other Fees | $1,076 |
| Room and Board | $18,658 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $6,858 |
| Total One Year Cost | $33,345 |
Out of State Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,011 |
| Other Fees | $1,076 |
| Room and Board | $18,658 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $6,858 |
| Total One Year Cost | $45,225 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Business | 22% |
| Health Professions | 9% |
| Social Sciences | 9% |
| Psychology | 7% |
| Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting | 7% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering Cal State LA are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=110592 IPEDS survey data for California State University Los Angeles.
Current students may use the California State University Los Angeles GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025