UCLA vs. Westmont College

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Los Angeles in Los Angeles, CA with Westmont College in Santa Barbara, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of California Los Angeles is larger than Westmont College based on total student enrollment (47,335 students vs. 1,310 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); Westmont College is in Santa Barbara, CA (Midsize Suburban setting).
• University of California Los Angeles is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Westmont College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Los Angeles 20:1; Westmont College 10:1.

UCLA vs. Westmont College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCLA or Westmont College? 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 University of California Los Angeles than Westmont College ($14,512 vs. $32,172).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Westmont College are 7.7% lower than at University of California Los Angeles ($16,960 vs. $18,369).
• Westmont College is 252.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCLA (about $38,381 more per year; $53,584.00 vs. $15,203.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.5% higher at Westmont College than at University of California Los Angeles (about $4,181 more per year; $53,584.00 vs. $49,403.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Westmont College than at University of California Los Angeles (100% vs. 49%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Westmont College students is 52% larger than aid received by University of California Los Angeles students ($38,956 vs. $25,627).

UCLA vs. Westmont College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCLA or Westmont College? 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 Westmont College and UCLA.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Los Angeles (1420) is 70 points higher than at Westmont College (1350).
• Incoming UCLA students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 28 at Westmont College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Los Angeles 1300/1530; Westmont College 1240/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Los Angeles 29/35; Westmont College 25/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCLA - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind); Westmont College - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: UCLA Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UCLA students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at Westmont College (3.59).
• Westmont College has a higher acceptance rate (77%) than UCLA (9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 50.4% at UCLA vs. 15.9% at Westmont College.

UCLA vs. Westmont College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCLA and Westmont College? 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).

• University of California Los Angeles's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than Westmont College's (77%).
• Graduates from University of California Los Angeles earn a median of about $16,100 more per year than Westmont College graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,700 vs. $54,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Los Angeles graduates have a $8,823 lower median loan debt than Westmont College graduates ($16,300 vs. $25,123).
• Among borrowers, UCLA graduates have an estimated $91 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Westmont College graduates ($168 vs. $259).
• More Westmont College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCLA students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 78%)

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.