Public
Accredited · Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
Los Angeles, California
91.9% Acceptance Rate
California State University-Los Angeles — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
91.9%Acceptance Rate
3.31Avg GPA
965Avg SAT
$17,153Annual Cost
$59,211Grad Salary
66.1%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
91.9%
Avg GPA
3.31
Avg SAT
965
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
SAT Middle 50%
925–995
Avg Net Price
$4,113
Need-Based Aid
66.1% receive Pell
California State University-Los Angeles (CA) is a public, urban university focused on engagement and social mobility. Admissions evaluate high school GPA and coursework rigour. They prioritize applicants who demonstrate readiness for a diverse, fast-paced environment and a clear commitment to academic progression.
California State University-Los Angeles Acceptance Rate
California State University-Los Angeles (Cal State LA) runs an open-access admission policy — with a 91.9% acceptance rate, the focus is on getting qualified students in, not filtering them out.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in — worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 91.9% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.31 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.11 – 3.30
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.86
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
California State University-Los Angeles Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
California State University-Los Angeles follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline, though the priority deadline of November 30 is recommended for the best chances of admission and financial aid.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 123 days left — Freshman (Fall, priority)
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
Cal State LA reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
Freshman (Fall, priority)
November 30
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Cal State LA GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Cal State LA is 3.31. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 3.01–3.31 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently — for an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 3.51–3.71.Cal State LA GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Holistic review is critical for admission.
Recommended Strategy: Requires Contextual Factors (Leadership, hardship, or talent).
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.31 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.11 – 3.30
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.91 – 3.10
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.90
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Test-blind: SAT/ACT scores are not used in admission decisions even if submitted; CSU Eligibility Index relies on GPA (with bonus points for AP/IB/Honors courses) and "a-g" course completion
- No campus-wide freshman impaction at Cal State LA; Pre-Nursing is currently the only impacted freshman major, using a local-admission-area preference system (military veterans get local preference regardless of high school)
- Honors College requires a fully separate application (3.5+ GPA, essays, 2 letters of recommendation in sealed envelopes, possible interview) on top of general university admission
- President's Scholars and other Honors College scholarships require no separate application beyond the Honors College application itself for incoming students
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
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 Cal State LA
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on California State University-Los Angeles'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
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
California State University-Los Angeles (Cal State LA) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Cal State LA is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Cal State LA Without SAT or ACT?
Cal State LA neither requires nor recommends test scores. Submit yours only if it's above the state or national average — otherwise, leaving it off works in your favor.
California State University-Los Angeles Average SAT Score: 965
The average SAT score of admitted students at California State University-Los Angeles is 965 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 965 — Accessible
This average is on the lower end nationally, making a strong score here a genuine advantage.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (995 SAT) to stand out. Below average? California State University-Los Angeles allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 925, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Cal State LA. Retaking multiple times is completely normal — most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | - | - | - |
| SAT Reading | - | - | - |
| SAT Composite | 965 | 925 | 995 |
Below 925, you're behind most admitted students; at 995 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 950
Can I get into California State University-Los Angeles (Cal State LA) with a 1000 SAT?
A 1000 SAT puts you ahead of most of Cal State LA's admitted class — but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Cal State LA
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Cal State LA provides an open gateway to higher education. Success here is about using available resources well and planning your longer-term academic or career path.
Use the Cal State Apply portal correctly - this is a CSU-wide system, not a Cal State LA-specific one
Like every CSU campus, Cal State LA admission runs entirely through Cal State Apply with priority filing windows (e.g., Oct. 1-Nov. 30 for fall) rather than a single fixed deadline - and Cal State LA is genuinely test-blind, meaning SAT/ACT scores aren't used in the admission decision even if a student submits them. Don't let test-prep planning distract from the things that actually matter here: the "a-g" course pattern and GPA.
Check whether the target major is "impacted" - Cal State LA's impaction works differently than most CSU campuses
Cal State LA has no campus-wide freshman impaction (unlike some CSU campuses where every major is impacted), but it does have program-specific impaction - Pre-Nursing is currently the only impacted freshman major, and it uses a local-admission-area preference system where applicants from local high schools (plus military veterans, regardless of school) get priority. A pre-nursing applicant from outside the local area should know upfront they're competing under a higher bar than a Pre-Nursing applicant from a local high school, even though both are applying to the "same" major at the "same" school.
Apply to the Honors College as a genuinely separate process, even though it draws from admitted students
Admission to Cal State LA does not include admission to the Honors College - that requires a distinct application (3.5+ GPA for incoming freshmen, written essays, two letters of recommendation on the recommender's own letterhead in sealed envelopes, and a possible interview for finalists) submitted by its own priority deadline. A student aiming for Honors should treat it as a fully separate admissions track layered on top of, not included in, general Cal State LA admission.
For students with AP/IB/honors coursework, make sure those bonus GPA points are actually being calculated correctly
The CSU system awards extra GPA points for up to eight semesters of approved Honors/AP/IB courses taken in the last three years of high school (5 points per A, 4 per B, 3 per C) when computing the CSU Eligibility Index - this can meaningfully shift a borderline applicant's standing. Confirm the high school's courses are on the approved "A-G" list and that the self-reported GPA calculation actually includes this bonus before assuming a raw GPA tells the full story.
Expert Insight:
An acceptance rate near 91-92% can lead families to treat every part of a Cal State LA application as low-stakes - but that aggregate figure blends a genuinely open general-admission process with Pre-Nursing's local-preference impaction and the Honors College's separate, much more selective track. A student with a specific major or program target should ask directly whether that program is impacted rather than relying on the headline acceptance rate.
Cal State LA Profile
Full Name
California State University-Los Angeles (Cal State LA)
City
Los Angeles
State
California
ZIP Code
90032-8506
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission (WASCSR)
Is a Cal State LA Degree Worth It?
Cal State LA offers a rigorous academic environment, but 'worth it' is a personal calculation of cost, program fit, and outcomes — the figures below are a starting point.
The average household income among admitted students is $52,900, with a graduate unemployment rate of 5.19%.
How much does a degree from Cal State LA Cost?
The sticker price is $17,153/year, but the average net price students actually pay — after Pell and federal grants — is closer to $4,113.
66.1% of students receive a Pell Grant and 20.4% take federal loans at Cal State LA — file your FAFSA early and list Cal State LA as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Cal State LA Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $59,211 — about 46% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than California State University-Los Angeles. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama A & M University | Normal, AL | 947 | 17 |
| University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff | Pine Bluff, AR | 916 | 16 |
| Johnson University Florida | Kissimmee, FL | 940 | NA |
| Warner University | Lake Wales, FL | 937 | 17 |
| Gordon State College | Barnesville, GA | 950 | 18 |
| Upper Iowa University | Fayette, IA | 929 | 18 |
| Baker University | Baldwin City, KS | 950 | 17 |
| Grambling State University | Grambling, LA | 955 | 17 |
| Southern University and A & M College | Baton Rouge, LA | 938 | 17 |
| Bowie State University | Bowie, MD | 935 | NA |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as California State University-Los Angeles. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clayton State University | Morrow, GA | 973 | 18 |
| University of Hawaii-West Oahu | Kapolei, HI | 973 | 18 |
| Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College | Saint Mary of the Woods, IN | 966 | 17 |
| Union Commonwealth University | Barbourville, KY | 965 | 18 |
| Grambling State University | Grambling, LA | 955 | 17 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than California State University-Los Angeles. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faulkner University | Montgomery, AL | 1016 | 20 |
| University of West Alabama | Livingston, AL | 1015 | 20 |
| Marion Military Institute | Marion, AL | 1043 | 20 |
| Central Baptist College | Conway, AR | 1022 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas Community College-Morrilton | Morrilton, AR | 1020 | 20 |
Degree Programs at Cal State LA
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Cal State LA Admissions
Median graduate earnings at California State University-Los Angeles run about $59,211 a year.
At about $17,153 a year, California State University-Los Angeles is on the more affordable end.
With 66.1% of California State University-Los Angeles students on a Pell Grant, need-based aid odds here are strong — an early FAFSA filing naming California State University-Los Angeles is the key move.
At 91.9%, California State University-Los Angeles's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at California State University-Los Angeles average a 3.31 GPA.
California State University-Los Angeles doesn't publish a hard GPA floor — but landing at or above 3.01 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 2.91, California State University-Los Angeles becomes a harder reach — though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at California State University-Los Angeles — aim above 965, ideally within the 925–995 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for California State University-Los Angeles is November 30. Rolling Admissions is also offered, so applying early improves your chances.
The application fee is 70. Fee waivers may be available — check with admissions.
Yes — transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most — along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.
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