Public
Accredited · Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
Los Angeles, California
8.7% Acceptance Rate
University of California-Los Angeles — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
8.7%Acceptance Rate
3.92Avg GPA
1415Avg SAT
$36,643Annual Cost
$82,511Grad Salary
27.1%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
8.7%
Avg GPA
3.92
Avg SAT
1415
Selectivity
Extremely Competitive
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
SAT Middle 50%
1375–1445
Avg Net Price
$14,013
Need-Based Aid
27.1% receive Pell
The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is a premier public research university founded in 1919. Located in Westwood, UCLA combines academic excellence with vibrant campus life. The university excels in film (through TFT), medicine, and engineering. UCLA's research spans from nanotechnology to ethnic studies. The campus features iconic Royce Hall and cutting-edge facilities like the California NanoSystems Institute.
UCLA's diverse student body and faculty foster innovation and cultural exchange. The university's hospital system is among the nation's best. Alumni include Nobel laureates, Olympians, and Hollywood icons. UCLA's blend of top-tier academics, sunny location, and school spirit makes it the most applied-to university in the U.S.
University of California-Los Angeles Acceptance Rate
With a 8.7% acceptance rate, University of California-Los Angeles sits firmly in the elite tier of US admissions; only 9 in 100 applicants are offered a seat.
What UCLA Admissions Looks For
- A Defined Strength: Leadership, original research, or a national-level achievement carries more weight than a long activity list.
- Essay Distinctiveness: Reviewers read thousands of similar transcripts; the essays are where genuinely different applicants stand out.
- Class Rank: Admitted students typically finish in the top 2–5% of their graduating class.
Selectivity at a Glance
Extremely Competitive
Selectivity scale: Extremely Competitive — 8.7% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
At this tier, meeting the average GPA and test scores is the baseline, not the differentiator — your essays and recommendations are what separate you from the rest of an already-strong pool.
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.92 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.72 – 3.91
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.47
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
University of California-Los Angeles Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
The application deadline for University of California-Los Angeles is December 1.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 122 days left — Regular Decision (single cycle; no EA/ED)
Regular Decision (single cycle; no EA/ED)
December 1
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
UCLA GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at UCLA is 3.92. That makes admissions here extremely selective. Most admitted students carry straight A's, with very little room for a B.
If your GPA sits between 3.62 and 3.92, a high SAT or ACT score is the most reliable way to compensate.
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 4.12–4.32.UCLA GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Extreme selectivity; requires elite academic standing.
Recommended Strategy: High Course Rigor (AP/IB/Honors) to validate the grade.
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.92 – 4.00
Academic Target
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.72 – 3.91
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.52 – 3.71
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.51
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- 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 UCLA
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on University of California-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.
University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if UCLA is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into UCLA Without SAT or ACT?
UCLA 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.
University of California-Los Angeles Average SAT Score: 1415
The average SAT score of admitted students at University of California-Los Angeles is 1415 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1415 — Very Competitive
A 1415 average puts UCLA well above the national mean SAT score.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1445 SAT) to stand out. Below average? University of California-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 1375, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at UCLA. 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 | 1415 | 1375 | 1445 |
Below 1375, you're behind most admitted students; at 1445 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 1400
Can I get into University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA) with a 1450 SAT?
A 1450 SAT puts you ahead of most of UCLA'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 UCLA
Elite Strategy: The 'Spike' Approach
UCLA isn't looking for well-rounded — it's looking for 'pointy.' The strategy here is to make your one strongest area impossible to overlook.
Weave a Cohesive, Multi-Layered Human Narrative Across All Four PIQ Prompts
With an freshman acceptance rate under 9%, UCLA uses its 13-factor comprehensive review process to discover distinct human profiles rather than just high academic statistics. Your four PIQ responses must function as an interconnected narrative puzzle. Avoid using valuable essay space to restate the achievements, honors, or titles already visible on your activity list. Instead, select a core personal challenge, a moment of deep intellectual discovery, or an acute community need you worked to solve, and write with intense vulnerability. Show the committee exactly how you process information, adapt to failure, and evolve over time; readers value evidence of high emotional maturity and intellectual vitality.
Build a Demonstrated Record of Civic Engagement and Community Transformation
UCLA explicitly searches for students who have made substantial, measurable contributions to the cultural, socio-economic, or intellectual vitality of their local communities. Superficial club memberships or mandatory school service hours are quickly discounted. Your activity profile needs to show deep investment in a few chosen spaces, highlighting long-term positions where you held real operational responsibility. Focus your text on volunteer work, sustained employment, or grassroots civic initiatives where you can prove you left the environment better than you found it. Quantify your outcomes to prove the scale of your real-world footprint.
Maintain Maximum Academic Rigor and Protect Your Weighted UC GPA Pillar
The average weighted GPA of admitted freshmen at UCLA exceeds 4.5, meaning near-perfect academic performance is the baseline for competitive review. Since standardized test scores are completely excluded from the selection process, your raw academic history is heavily scrutinized. You must take the most demanding honors, AP, or IB courses your school offers and secure top marks. A downward trend in your junior year grades or dropping rigorous courses during your senior year will eliminate you from competitive consideration, making a pristine academic record mandatory.
Exhaustively Maximize the 20 Slots on the UC Honors and Activities List
The UC application provides 20 distinct slots for activities and awards, and UCLA relies heavily on this section to gauge your drive outside the classroom. Do not leave this section sparse or vague. Maximize the 350-character description box for each entry by using strong action verbs and clearly defining your specific role, the time commitment, and any honors achieved. Treat this list with the same editorial rigor as your primary essays, as it replaces the traditional external letters of recommendation that UCLA does not accept.
UCLA Profile
Full Name
University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA)
City
Los Angeles
State
California
ZIP Code
90095-1405
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission (WASCSR)
Is a UCLA Degree Worth It?
UCLA 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 $72,900, with a graduate unemployment rate of 4.07%.
How much does a degree from UCLA Cost?
The sticker price is $36,643/year, but the average net price students actually pay — after Pell and federal grants — is closer to $14,013.
27.1% of students receive a Pell Grant and 20.7% take federal loans at UCLA — file your FAFSA early and list UCLA as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a UCLA Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $82,511 — about 103% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than University of California-Los Angeles. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pepperdine University | Malibu, CA | 1367 | 29 |
| Westmont College | Santa Barbara, CA | 1367 | 32 |
| Colorado School of Mines | Golden, CO | 1403 | 31 |
| Trinity College | Hartford, CT | 1396 | 32 |
| American University | Washington, DC | 1392 | 31 |
| University of Florida | Gainesville, FL | 1397 | 31 |
| Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology | Terre Haute, IN | 1389 | 32 |
| St. John's College | Annapolis, MD | 1381 | 31 |
| University of Massachusetts-Amherst | Amherst, MA | 1393 | 31 |
| St Olaf College | Northfield, MN | 1373 | 30 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as University of California-Los Angeles. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Clara University | Santa Clara, CA | 1417 | 32 |
| Connecticut College | New London, CT | 1412 | 32 |
| University of Miami | Coral Gables, FL | 1416 | 32 |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | Champaign, IL | 1418 | 32 |
| Simpson College | Indianola, IA | 1410 | 32 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than University of California-Los Angeles. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northeastern University Oakland | Oakland, CA | 1472 | 32 |
| Occidental College | Los Angeles, CA | 1461 | 33 |
| Scripps College | Claremont, CA | 1480 | 33 |
| Colorado College | Colorado Springs, CO | 1445 | 33 |
| Georgetown University | Washington, DC | 1494 | 33 |
Degree Programs at UCLA
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About UCLA Admissions
University of California-Los Angeles graduates typically earn around $82,511 a year, on the higher end depending on industry.
University of California-Los Angeles costs roughly $36,643 a year — most students combine this with scholarships or aid.
About 27.1% receive a Pell Grant at University of California-Los Angeles — moderate odds, largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 8.7%, University of California-Los Angeles admits a very small share of applicants — this is elite-tier selectivity.
Admitted students at University of California-Los Angeles average a 3.92 GPA.
University of California-Los Angeles doesn't publish a hard GPA floor — but landing at or above 3.62 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.52, University of California-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 University of California-Los Angeles — aim above 1415, ideally within the 1375–1445 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for University of California-Los Angeles is December 1.
The application fee is 80. 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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