Public
Accredited · Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles City College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
$16,176Annual Cost
$36,190Grad Salary
26.2%Pell Grant
Selectivity
Open Enrollment
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
-40–30
Avg Net Price
$7,532
Need-Based Aid
26.2% receive Pell
Los Angeles City College CA Los Angeles City College serves as a major transfer institution within California's higher education system. Students often use LACC as a pathway to University of California and California State University campuses while benefiting from affordable tuition.\n\nThe college offers a broad range of academic and career programs, extensive student services, and opportunities connected to the Los Angeles economy. Its urban location provides access to internships and professional experiences.
Los Angeles City College Acceptance Rate
Los Angeles City College maintains an inclusive admission policy. With an acceptance rate of 100%, the institution prioritizes accessibility and opportunity for all qualified students.
Admissions Guidelines
- Inclusive Enrollment: Emphasis is placed on meeting basic eligibility and high school completion.
- Launchpad Policy: Ideal for students looking to build a GPA for future transfer or career certification.
Selectivity at a Glance
Open Enrollment
Selectivity scale: Open Enrollment — rate not reported
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
If your GPA is slightly below the institutional average, you can remain competitive by scoring well on standardized tests and showcasing leadership in co-curricular activities.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at Los Angeles City College
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Los Angeles City College's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
⚠️ Note: Predicting based on regional averages as this institution does not publicly report full score datasets.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Los Angeles City College Test Requirements
In this competitive environment, standardized scores are no longer elective; they serve as a critical standardized benchmark to validate high school GPA and course rigor. Applicants should aim for scores within or above the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class to remain viable in the Holistic Review process. At institutions that remain test-optional, submitting a high-percentile score is still the primary strategy for securing merit-based scholarships and distinguishing one's profile in a high-volume applicant pool.
Can I Get Into Los Angeles City College Without SAT or ACT?
The admission test score (SAT/ACT) policy for Los Angeles City College is unknown. But it is better to submit the test score if you have performed well in the test. It gives an extra opportunity to showcase your skills and competencies and hence will improve your chances of admission. Normally, students may appear in the test 4 to 5 times to improve their scores. But if your score is not up to the mark and is less than the national or state average, then it is better not to submit the score as it will impact negatively.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Los Angeles City College
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Los Angeles City College provides an open gateway to higher education. Success here is about utilizing resources and planning your long-term academic or career trajectory.
Understand the Irony: UCLA's TAP Program Excludes LACC's Signature Cinema/TV Major
LACC's Cinema & Television Department is genuinely distinctive - students work with real cameras and crews starting in their first semester, positioning the program as a low-debt alternative to four-year film schools. However, students should know that UCLA's Transfer Alliance Program (TAP), the LACCD honors pathway that significantly boosts UCLA transfer odds for other majors, explicitly does not cover Film/TV, Nursing, or other audition/portfolio-based majors at UCLA. A Cinema/TV student aiming for UCLA's School of Theater, Film and Television cannot rely on TAP certification to improve their odds the way a Political Science or English major could - they need to research that school's specific transfer portfolio and audition requirements separately from the general honors pathway.
Register Early and Know How to "Crash" Cinema/TV Classes
LACC's Cinema & Television courses are in extremely high demand and fill quickly, with enrollment determined strictly by registration date, not by major declaration or portfolio strength. If a desired class is full, the normalized practice at LACC is to physically attend the first or second week of class and ask the professor directly for an add code - many students successfully "crash" a full class this way if space opens up. Students serious about specific Cinema/TV courses should register the moment their registration window opens and, if shut out, treat showing up in person during add/drop week as a real strategy rather than a long shot.
Use LACC's Low Per-Unit Cost to Build a Portfolio Before Transferring
At approximately $45 per credit hour for California residents (about $135 for a full 3-unit course), and with the California College Promise making attendance free for many eligible students, LACC offers Cinema/TV training at a fraction of the cost of a four-year film school's tuition. Students should treat their time at LACC as a deliberate portfolio-building phase - taking multiple production courses to assemble a reel before transferring - rather than rushing through general education requirements as quickly as possible. The program's explicit positioning is "more experience than most 4-year grads, far less debt," which only pays off if students actually use the hands-on production opportunities rather than treating LACC as a generic transfer stepping stone.
Apply for UC TAG Early If Your Target Campus Isn't UCLA, Berkeley, or UCSD
Six UC campuses (not including UCLA, Berkeley, or UCSD) offer the Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) program, with applications due September 30 of the year a student applies for transfer admission. For LACC students whose intended major and target UC campus participate in TAG, this guarantees admission upon meeting stated requirements - removing much of the uncertainty inherent in competitive UC transfer admission. Students should create a UC TAP (Transfer Admission Planner) account as soon as they begin coursework at LACC, since tracking required courses from semester one makes hitting the September 30 TAG deadline far more achievable than starting the planning process in junior year.
Expert Insight:
The most common failure pattern among LACC Cinema/TV students is assuming that strong production coursework and a good reel alone will translate into competitive UCLA transfer admission, without realizing that UCLA's Transfer Alliance Program - the primary boost mechanism LACCD students use for UCLA transfer - doesn't apply to Film/TV at all. Students aiming for UCLA's film school specifically need to research that school's standalone transfer requirements (often including supplemental portfolios or specific prerequisite coursework) independently, rather than assuming general honors program participation will help the way it would for an English or Political Science transfer.
Los Angeles City College Profile
Full Name
Los Angeles City College
City
Los Angeles
State
California
ZIP Code
90029
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (WASCJC)
Is a Los Angeles City College Degree Worth It?
Getting into Los Angeles City College can be a great opportunity for many students. It is a prestigious institution known for its strong programs. However, whether it is worth it depends on your personal and academic goals, as well as your financial situation. Los Angeles City College offers a rigorous academic environment and access to cutting-edge research, but it may not be the best fit for everyone. It's important to consider factors such as cost, location, and specific academic programs when making this decision.
Please note that the average household income of the admitted students at Los Angeles City College is $39,900 and the graduate unemployment rate is 6.37%.
How much does a degree from Los Angeles City College Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at Los Angeles City College is $16,176. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at Los Angeles City College is $7,532.
26.2% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 3.4 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to Los Angeles City College and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At Los Angeles City College, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist Los Angeles City College as your choice in the form.
How much does a Los Angeles City College Graduate earn?
The average annual salary of the graduate after 4–6 years of graduation is $36,190. An average Los Angeles City College graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4–6 years after graduation).
The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is $40,595.
Degree Programs at Los Angeles City College
Associate Degree Programs
Full list of all degree programs offered by Los Angeles City College →
Frequently Asked Questions About Los Angeles City College Admissions
Graduates of this university typically earn a lower salary, $36,190 annually, especially in non-technical fields.
The tuition fee at this university is relatively low, around $16,176 per year, making it more affordable for many students.
26.2% of students receive a Pell Grant at this institution. Your chances of need-based aid are moderate and depend primarily on your household income. Filing FAFSA early significantly improves your chances of receiving the maximum available grant amount.
Yes, many students successfully transfer each year. Be prepared with your academic transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement to make your application competitive.
To improve your chances, focus on excelling academically, building a strong extracurricular profile, and submitting standout essays. High SAT/ACT scores are also crucial for competitive admissions.