Your chances of getting into California State University Los Angeles
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance Rate
The acceptance rate at Cal State LA is 86.9%. Its admission rate is the 78th lowest in California.
Admission Selectivity
How hard is it to get into Cal State LA and can you get accepted?
California State University Los Angeles is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 29,507 out of the 33,939 who applied were admitted.
California State University Los Angeles typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.31. 13% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.
Can you get into Cal State LA?
87% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.
Admission Requirements in Brief
To have the best chance of getting into to California State University Los Angeles you should:
- Have a high school GPA of 3.31 or better
- Earn B+ grades in high school
- Score 970 on the SAT
- Score 17 on the ACT
Cal State LA GPA
GPA Requirements & Average GPA
What GPA do you need to get into California State University Los Angeles?
GPA Requirements
The GPA requirements for getting into Cal State LA are to have around a 3.31 high school GPA. You are required to have above average high school grades.
If your high school grades are above the average 3.31 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as Cal State LA accepts 87% of applicants.
Average GPA
The average unweighted GPA at Cal State LA is 3.31 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B+ letter grades and regularly score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school. The school ranks #70 in California for highest average GPA.
Importance of GPA
Since Cal State LA is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.
See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.3 GPA range.
Competitiveness by GPA Ranges
The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.
GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022
Cal State LA SAT Scores
Testing Requirements
Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required by California State University Los Angeles. The school has a test blind policy.
SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score
| SAT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 25th Percentile | 440 |
| Math 25th Percentile | 430 |
| Composite 25th Percentile | 870 |
| SAT Test | 75th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 75th Percentile | 530 |
| Math 75th Percentile | 530 |
| Composite 75th Percentile | 1060 |
| Average SAT Score | 970
|
SAT Scores you need to get in
What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to California State University Los Angeles?
Average Score & Range
The average SAT score at Cal State LA is 970 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 870-1060. Students who get into California State University Los Angeles score in the top 82 percent of all SAT test takers.. Cal State LA ranks #69 in the state of California for highest average SAT composite score.
Score for Acceptance
You should target scoring 970 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Cal State LA regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 870 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 870, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 770, but scores this low are outside the normal range.
Score Submission Requirements
California State University Los Angeles is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not considered for admission, even if submitted (test blind)".
View other colleges which accept students in the 970 SAT score range.
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting classChance of Acceptance by SAT Score
The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 965, you have around a 87% chance of being admitted. A 1060 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 93% chance of getting in.
Cal State LA ACT Scores
ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score
| ACT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 25th Percentile | 14 |
| Math 25th Percentile | 16 |
| Composite 25th Percentile | 15 |
| ACT Test | 75th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 75th Percentile | 21 |
| Math 75th Percentile | 20 |
| Composite 75th Percentile | 20 |
| Average ACT Score | 17
|
ACT Scores needed to get accepted
What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Cal State LA?
Score Range
The average ACT score for admitted students to Cal State LA is 17, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 15 and 20. The school ranks #65 in California for highest average ACT composite score.
Score for Acceptance
For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 17. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 15 and score in the score in the top 81 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 12.
39 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to California State University Los Angeles.
Score Submission Requirements
You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as California State University Los Angeles is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not considered for admission, even if submitted (test blind)".
Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting classChance of Acceptance by ACT Score
Here are your predicted chances of getting into Cal State LA for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 17 score has around 87% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 94% with a 20 ACT score.
Applying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.
| Women | Men | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applied | 20,055 | 13,884 | 33,939 |
| Accepted | 17,889 | 11,618 | 29,507 |
| Acceptance Rate | 89% | 84% | 87% |
| Enrolled | 2,126 | 1,766 | 3,892 |
| Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) | 12% | 15% | 13% |
Fall 2025 Application Deadline
Applications Due
Days left to Apply
Applicants have 25 days left until the Fall 2025 term applications are due on Jan 19, 2025.
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to California State University Los Angeles is $70.
Application Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to California State University Los Angeles and what student information is used for admission decisions?
| Test Scores | Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) |
| High School GPA | Required to be considered for admission |
| High School Class Rank | Not considered for admission, even if submitted |
| Completion of College Preparatory Program | Required to be considered for admission |
| Recommendations | Not considered for admission, even if submitted |
| Demonstration of Competencies | Not considered for admission, even if submitted |
Credits Accepted
| AP Credit | Yes |
| Dual Credit | Yes |
| Credit for Life Experiences | No |
Admission Requirements Summary
Because California State University Los Angeles is lightly competitive to get into, you have a very good chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.31 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 970 and ACT of 17 will almost guarantee your admission.
Other Colleges to Apply To
Students applying to California State University Los Angeles often consider these colleges
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=110592 IPEDS survey data for California State University Los Angeles.
Last updated February 24, 2024