Cal State LA vs. Life Pacific University

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Los Angeles in Los Angeles, CA with Life Pacific University in San Dimas, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

California State University Los Angeles is larger than Life Pacific University based on total student enrollment (23,163 students vs. 621 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); Life Pacific University is in San Dimas, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• California State University Los Angeles is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Life Pacific University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Los Angeles 21:1; Life Pacific University 12:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Life Pacific University are 38.1% lower than at California State University Los Angeles ($12,190 vs. $19,696).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.9% higher at Life Pacific University than at California State University Los Angeles (about $2,358 more per year; $22,118 vs. $19,760).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Life Pacific University than at California State University Los Angeles (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Los Angeles students is 0.9% larger than aid received by Life Pacific University students ($13,824 vs. $13,696).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at Life Pacific University than at Cal State LA (20 vs. 17, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both Cal State LA and Life Pacific University.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State LA Jan 19, 2027; Life Pacific University May 1, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at Cal State LA average a 3.31 high school GPA, 0.4 higher than at Life Pacific University (2.91).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.4% at Cal State LA vs. 33.8% at Life Pacific University.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Los Angeles graduates have a $7,610 lower median loan debt than Life Pacific University graduates ($12,920 vs. $20,530).
• Among borrowers, Cal State LA graduates have an estimated $79 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Life Pacific University graduates ($133 vs. $212).
• More Cal State LA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Life Pacific University students, three years after graduation (57% vs. 54%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.