California · College profile

California State University-Los Angeles: SAT & ACT Scores, Acceptance Rate and Costs

California State University-Los Angeles is a public four-year university in Los Angeles, California, enrolling about 19,562 undergraduates. It admits roughly 91% of applicants, which makes it largely open-access relative to four-year colleges nationally.

California State University-Los Angeles campus
Photo: Larry Sharkey, Los Angeles Times ยท CC BY 4.0

SAT and ACT scores at California State University-Los Angeles

California State University-Los Angeles does not report SAT or ACT score ranges in the most recent federal data, which usually means a test-optional or test-free policy with too few submitted scores to publish. Check the admissions office for the current cycle before deciding whether to send scores.

Admissions and selectivity

MeasureValue
Acceptance rate91.2%
Undergraduate enrollment19,562
Student–faculty ratio21:1
SettingCity
ControlPublic

Cost and financial aid

MeasureAmount
In-state tuition and fees$7,160
Out-of-state tuition and fees$19,760
Room and board$19,696
Average net price (first-year students)$3,967
Students receiving Pell grants66.3%
Students taking federal loans17.9%
Median federal loan debt at graduation$11,966

Net price is the number that matters: $3,967 is what a typical first-year student actually pays after grants and scholarships, not the sticker price. Run the college's own net price calculator with your family's numbers before ruling it out on cost.

Graduation and earnings outcomes

MeasureValue
Graduation rate (6-year)53.0%
First-year retention71.9%
Median earnings 10 years after entry$59,211
Students who are first-generation61.5%

Most popular majors

Shares are of bachelor's degrees awarded, so a concentrated list usually signals a college known for those programs.

How your score compares

Take a free adaptive practice test on FunSAT, get an unofficial score estimate, and see exactly where you land inside California State University-Los Angeles's reported range alongside the rest of your college list.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the acceptance rate at California State University-Los Angeles?

California State University-Los Angeles admits about 91.2% of applicants according to the most recent U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard data.

Does California State University-Los Angeles require SAT or ACT scores?

The most recent federal data lists California State University-Los Angeles's testing policy as "Considered". Policies change yearly, so confirm with the admissions office for your application cycle.

How much does California State University-Los Angeles cost?

Published tuition and fees are $7,160 in-state and $19,760 out-of-state, but the average first-year student pays a net price of $3,967 after grant aid.

Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, Most-Recent-Cohorts-Institution. May 2026 release (file published 2026-05-26). Score ranges and costs are reported by the institution to the U.S. Department of Education and can lag the current admissions cycle by a year or more.

FunSAT is a free browser-based SAT and ACT prep app: digital SAT and ACT practice tests, unofficial score calculators, a built-in graphing calculator, college admissions chances from official U.S. Department of Education data, and a scholarship search. Start free practice →