Your chances of getting into University of California Los Angeles
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance Rate
The acceptance rate at UCLA is 8.6%. Its admission rate is the 5th lowest in California and the 26th lowest the nation.
Admission Selectivity
How hard is it to get into UCLA and can you get accepted?
UCLA is an extremely competitive school to get into and is highly selective who it accepts. You have a very low chance of acceptance even even if you meet the admission criteria. It's critical that you meet their GPA requirements to get past the first round of consideration. Last year, only 12,845 out of the 149,801 who applied were admitted.
University of California Los Angeles typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.92. Of those applicants who were admitted, 50% enrolled. This indicates that the school is a top choice for many students who apply.
Can you get into UCLA?
9% 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 University of California Los Angeles you should:
- Have a high school GPA of 3.92 or better
- Earn A- grades in high school
- Score 1420 on the SAT
- Score 32 on the ACT
UCLA GPA
GPA Requirements & Average GPA
What GPA do you need to get into University of California Los Angeles?
GPA Requirements
The GPA requirements for getting into UCLA are to have around a 3.92 high school GPA. You are required to have exceptionally good grades and you should be graduating near the top of your class.
Given the school's very highly selective admissions, acceptance at UCLA extremely difficult and unlikely even with a 3.92 GPA. The school should be considered a reach even if you have a 3.92 GPA. If your grades do not meet the GPA requirements, you will have very little chance of being considered for admission.
Average GPA
The average unweighted GPA at UCLA is 3.92 on the 4.0 scale. 55% of students who get in have perfect 4.0 GPA's in high school. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn A- letter grades and regularly score around 90-92 percent on tests and assignments in high school. The school ranks #9 in California for highest average GPA.
Importance of GPA
Since UCLA 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 3.9 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
UCLA SAT Scores
Testing Requirements
Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required by University of California Los Angeles. The school has a test blind policy.
SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score
SAT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
---|---|
Reading 25th Percentile | 650 |
Math 25th Percentile | 650 |
Composite 25th Percentile | 1300 |
SAT Test | 75th Percentile Score |
---|---|
Reading 75th Percentile | 740 |
Math 75th Percentile | 790 |
Composite 75th Percentile | 1530 |
Average SAT Score | 1420
|
SAT Scores you need to get in
What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to University of California Los Angeles?
Average Score & Range
The average SAT score at UCLA is 1420 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1300-1530. Students who get into University of California Los Angeles score in the top 12 percent of all SAT test takers.. UCLA ranks #10 in the state of California and #82 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.
Score for Acceptance
You should target scoring 1420 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. UCLA regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1300 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1300, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1180, but scores this low are outside the normal range.
Score Submission Requirements
University of California 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 1420 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 1415, you have around a 9% chance of being admitted. A 1530 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 16% chance of getting in.
UCLA ACT Scores
ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score
ACT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
---|---|
Reading 25th Percentile | 28 |
Math 25th Percentile | 27 |
Composite 25th Percentile | 29 |
ACT Test | 75th Percentile Score |
---|---|
Reading 75th Percentile | 35 |
Math 75th Percentile | 34 |
Composite 75th Percentile | 35 |
Average ACT Score | 32
|
ACT Scores needed to get accepted
What are the ACT requirements for students to get into UCLA?
Score Range
The average ACT score for admitted students to UCLA is 32, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 29 and 35. The school ranks #9 in California and #57 in the U.S. for highest average ACT composite score.
Score for Acceptance
For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 32. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 29 and score in the score in the top 9 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 26.
53 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to University of California Los Angeles.
Score Submission Requirements
You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as University of California 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 UCLA for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 32 score has around 9% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 16% with a 35 ACT score.
Applying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.
Women | Men | Total | |
---|---|---|---|
Applied | 81,206 | 68,595 | 149,801 |
Accepted | 7,749 | 5,096 | 12,845 |
Acceptance Rate | 10% | 7% | 9% |
Enrolled | 4,052 | 2,410 | 6,462 |
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) | 52% | 47% | 50% |
Fall 2025 Application Deadline
Applications Due
Days left to Apply
The application deadline for Fall 2025 has passed. Applications were due on Nov 30, 2024.
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to University of California Los Angeles is $70.
Application Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to University of California 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 UCLA is extremely competitive, you have a very low likelihood of acceptance. It is critical that you earn at least a 3.92 GPA to have any chance. Additionally, you need to score at least a 1420 on the SAT and optimally 1530 to put yourself in a competitive position. For ACT scores, you should really strive for a 32 to have the best chance of getting in.
Other Colleges to Apply To
Students applying to University of California Los Angeles often consider these colleges
University of California Berkeley
Public 4 Year
University of California Irvine
Public 4 Year
University of California San Diego
Public 4 Year
University of Michigan
Public 4 Year
University of Southern California
Private 4 Year
Stanford University
Private 4 Year
University of California Santa Barbara
Public 4 Year
University of Virginia Main Campus
Public 4 Year
The University of Texas at Austin
Public 4 Year
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Public 4 Year
San Diego State University
Public 4 Year
California State University Long Beach
Public 4 Year
Loyola Marymount University
Private 4 Year
Pomona College
Private 4 Year
Harvard University
Private 4 Year
University of Wisconsin Madison
Public 4 Year
Pepperdine University
Private 4 Year
New York University
Private 4 Year
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=110662 IPEDS survey data for University of California Los Angeles.
Last updated February 24, 2024