Cal State LA vs. San Jose State

Comparable Facts

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

San Jose State University is larger than Cal State LA based on total student enrollment (37,661 students vs. 23,163 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); San Jose State University is in San Jose, CA (Large City setting).
• California State University Los Angeles is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. San Jose State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Los Angeles 21:1; San Jose State University 25:1.

Cal State LA vs. San Jose State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State LA or San Jose State? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at California State University Los Angeles than San Jose State ($4,460 vs. $13,892).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Los Angeles are 6.1% lower than at San Jose State University ($19,696 vs. $20,971).
• San Jose State University is 17.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State LA (about $1,250 more per year; $8,410.00 vs. $7,160.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.3% higher at San Jose State than at California State University Los Angeles (about $1,250 more per year; $21,010.00 vs. $19,760.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Los Angeles than at San Jose State University (94% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Los Angeles students is 11.9% larger than aid received by San Jose State University students ($13,824 vs. $12,353).

Cal State LA vs. San Jose State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cal State LA or San Jose State? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between San Jose State and Cal State LA.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at San Jose State University (1130) is 160 points higher than at Cal State LA (970).
• Incoming San Jose State students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 17 at Cal State LA).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Los Angeles 870/1060; San Jose State University 1010/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Los Angeles 15/20; San Jose State University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State LA - Test-free; San Jose State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State LA Jan 19, 2027; San Jose State Dec 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman San Jose State students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.35) than students at Cal State LA (3.31).
• Cal State LA has a higher acceptance rate (91.3%) than San Jose State (84.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.4% at Cal State LA vs. 14.7% at San Jose State.

Cal State LA vs. San Jose State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal State LA and San Jose State? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• San Jose State University's six-year graduation rate (46%) is higher than California State University Los Angeles's (36%).
• Graduates from San Jose State University earn a median of about $13,000 more per year than Cal State LA graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,900 vs. $46,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Los Angeles graduates have a $2,080 lower median loan debt than San Jose State graduates ($12,920 vs. $15,000).
• Among borrowers, Cal State LA graduates have an estimated $22 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than San Jose State graduates ($133 vs. $155).
• More San Jose State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cal State LA students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 57%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.