Cal State LA Admission Requirements

Acceptance Rate

How hard is it to get into Cal State LA and can I get accepted? The school has a 48% acceptance rate ranking it #29 in California for lowest rate of acceptance. Last year, 16,084 out of 33,641 applicants were admitted making Cal State LA a more competitive school to get into with a good chance of acceptance for qualifying applicants.  Academically, it has extremely easy requirements for admission test scores, generally admitting students who score in the top 80 percent. California State University Los Angeles typically accepts and attracts "B" average high school students. Only 20% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school. Most incoming freshmen graduated in the top half of their high school class.

Test Requirements

You must submit admission test scores with your application. California State University Los Angeles is not a test optional school. Note: Please consult the school directly to determine if testing requirements are temporarily suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for students to be admitted to California State University Los Angeles?

California State University Los Angeles typically prefers applicants to be in the top 79 percent of SAT test takers. The school consistently takes SAT composite scores down to 890 on a 1600 scale, below which admission should be considered a reach. We estimate some students could be accepted with SAT's as low as 790. The estimated average SAT composite for admitted freshman is 990 out of 1600. The school ranks #69 in California for highest average SAT composite score. A competitive SAT score is critical as 96 percent of applicants submit SAT scores to the school.

Estimated Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for prospective students to get into Cal State LA?

Admission data indicates that Cal State LA regularly accepts students with ACT's of 15 and above. Successful applicants typically send ACT scores in the top 81 percent nationally. We estimate the school accepting minimum ACT composite scores around 12 in some instances. Prospective students submitting an ACT composite of 18 or higher should be in the upper half of applicants - and students with a 20 and above have very competitive chances. The school ranks #73 in California for highest average ACT composite score. 39 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to California State University Los Angeles.

Estimated Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Estimated GPA Requirements & Average GPA

What GPA do you need to get into California State University Los Angeles?

Applicants need about average high school grades to get into Cal State LA. The average high school GPA of the admitted freshman class at California State University Los Angeles was 3.18 on the 4.0 scale indicating that primarily B students are accepted and ultimately attend. The school ranks #74 in California for highest average GPA. Even with a competitive GPA, admission to Cal State LA will be challenging as the school denies more applicants than it admits.

 What do these ratings mean?

GPA Data Source, Wintergreen Orchard House

High School Class Rank

100% of California State University Los Angeles freshman were in the top half of their high school graduating class.

Admission Statistics

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to California State University Los Angeles is $70.

Admission Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to California State University Los Angeles and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Credits Accepted