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California State University-Los Angeles

Cal State LA

Los Angeles, California 90032-8506

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Large campusUrban

Known for business — major research university

California State University-Los Angeles is a public institution in Los Angeles with particular strength in business and health sciences.

A large campus of 21.5K undergraduates with a 19:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

53% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $59,211 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $4,113.

Established
1947
Motto
Vox Veritas Vita
Mascot
Eddie the Golden Eagle
Type
Public university
Division
Division II

Plan Your Visit

92%Acceptance
SAT Avg
21,478Students
19:1Student:Faculty
53%Grad Rate
$59,211Earnings 10yr
$4,113Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate91.9%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$6,813
Tuition (out-of-state)$18,698
Room & Board$18,658
Books & Supplies$1,011
Total Cost of Attendance$17,153
Average Net Price$4,113
Median Debt at Graduation$13,000
Monthly Payment (10yr)$138

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$2,855
$30–48K$3,231
$48–75K$5,373
$75–110K$8,813
$110K+$14,599

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

80.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

1.1%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$11,966

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

163

Peer Average

240

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

24/7 campus police department, blue-light phone network, emergency mass notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

42

Burglary

8

Aggravated Assault

6

Robbery

14

Motor Vehicle Theft

17

Sex Offenses

1

Arson

43

Drug Arrests

32

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (160)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

73%

Mixed

Student Body

Undergrads
21,478
Gender Split
57% / 43%
Women / Men
First Generation
62%
Pell Grant Recipients
66%

Race & Ethnicity

White 4%
Black 4%
Hispanic 77%
Asian 10%
Two+ 1%
Int'l 1%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate52.6%
Freshman Retention72.9%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$45,702
10 Years$59,211

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#15
vs 2024
Forbes
#227
vs 2024
Wall Street Journal
#29
vs 2024
Washington Monthly
#3
vs 2024

More About This School

Varsity Sports — Diablos

TennisBeach volleyballSoccer wonVolleyballTrackArcheryBadmintonSoccerSoccer winsVolleyball national

History & Fun Facts

  • History First half of 20th century Flock of sheep with houses in background, Los Angeles County, about 1880, Photo taken on the Rancho Rosa de Castillo.
  • Homecoming in the 1940s at Cal State LA The university is located on the site of one of California's 36 original adobes, built in 1776 by Franciscan missionaries and destroyed by fire in 1908.
  • When the Spanish Franciscans founded the San Gabriel Mission in 1771, they dubbed the small river El Rio Rosa de Castillo.
  • Cal State LA was founded on July 2, 1947, by an act of the California legislature and opened for classes as Los Angeles State College on the campus of Los Angeles City College (LACC).

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

163Very High

Estimated from CA state average + large city premium

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 5"Sunny days: 250Rainy days: 75

Nearest Cities

Los Angelespop. 3.9M
4 mi(7 min)
San Diegopop. 1.4M
110 mi(191 min)
San Franciscopop. 870K
349 mi(605 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

LAX Los Angeles16 mi
SAN San Diego108 mi
LAS Las Vegas220 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA2587 mi · ~74h 44m drive
New York, NY2441 mi · ~70h 31m drive
Hartford, CT2506 mi · ~72h 24m drive
Providence, RI2571 mi · ~74h 16m drive
Albany, NY2449 mi · ~70h 45m drive
Syracuse, NY2327 mi · ~67h 13m drive
Rochester, NY2254 mi · ~65h 7m drive
Buffalo, NY2189 mi · ~63h 14m drive
Philadelphia, PA2384 mi · ~68h 52m drive
Pittsburgh, PA2128 mi · ~61h 29m drive
Harrisburg, PA2292 mi · ~66h 13m drive
Newark, NJ2432 mi · ~70h 15m drive
Washington, DC2290 mi · ~66h 9m drive
Baltimore, MD2310 mi · ~66h 44m drive
Atlanta, GA1928 mi · ~55h 42m drive
Charlotte, NC2111 mi · ~60h 59m drive
Raleigh, NC2227 mi · ~64h 20m drive
Miami, FL2331 mi · ~67h 20m drive
Orlando, FL2193 mi · ~63h 21m drive
Tampa, FL2145 mi · ~61h 58m drive
Nashville, TN1772 mi · ~51h 11m drive
New Orleans, LA1665 mi · ~48h 6m drive
Richmond, VA2277 mi · ~65h 47m drive
Chicago, IL1738 mi · ~50h 13m drive
Detroit, MI1975 mi · ~57h 3m drive
Minneapolis, MN1517 mi · ~43h 49m drive
St. Louis, MO1582 mi · ~45h 42m drive
Kansas City, MO1350 mi · ~39h drive
Indianapolis, IN1801 mi · ~52h 2m drive
Columbus, OH1969 mi · ~56h 53m drive
Cleveland, OH2041 mi · ~58h 58m drive
Milwaukee, WI1737 mi · ~50h 11m drive
Dallas, TX1233 mi · ~35h 37m drive
Houston, TX1367 mi · ~39h 29m drive
Austin, TX1221 mi · ~35h 16m drive
San Antonio, TX1198 mi · ~34h 37m drive
Los Angeles, CA4 mi · ~7 min drive
San Francisco, CA349 mi · ~10h 5m drive
San Diego, CA110 mi · ~3h 11m drive
Seattle, WA960 mi · ~27h 44m drive
Portland, OR826 mi · ~23h 52m drive
Denver, CO826 mi · ~23h 52m drive
Phoenix, AZ353 mi · ~10h 12m drive
Salt Lake City, UT576 mi · ~16h 38m drive
Honolulu, HI2564 mi · ~74h 4m drive
Southern (mild winters, hot summers)

Deadline Calendar

California State University-Los Angeles Application Checklist

Decision Notifications