Cal State LA vs. CDU

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Los Angeles in Los Angeles, CA with Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science in Los Angeles, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Los Angeles is larger than CDU based on total student enrollment (23,163 students vs. 852 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science is in Los Angeles, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• California State University Los Angeles is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Los Angeles 21:1; Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science 4:1.

Cal State LA vs. CDU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State LA or CDU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at California State University Los Angeles than CDU ($4,460 vs. $35,558).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Los Angeles are 40.5% lower than at Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science ($19,696 vs. $33,090).
• Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science is 221.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State LA (about $15,840 more per year; $23,000.00 vs. $7,160.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.4% higher at CDU than at California State University Los Angeles (about $3,240 more per year; $23,000.00 vs. $19,760.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science than at California State University Los Angeles (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Los Angeles students is 223.3% larger than aid received by Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science students ($13,824 vs. $4,276).

Cal State LA vs. CDU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cal State LA or CDU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between CDU and Cal State LA.

• Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Los Angeles 870/1060.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Los Angeles 15/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State LA - Test-free; CDU - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State LA Jan 19, 2027; CDU Jul 30, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cal State LA students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at CDU (3.26).
• Cal State LA has a higher acceptance rate (91.3%) than CDU (38.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.4% at Cal State LA vs. 3.5% at CDU.

Cal State LA vs. CDU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal State LA and CDU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science earn a median of about $24,000 more per year than Cal State LA graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,900 vs. $46,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Los Angeles graduates have a $8,399 lower median loan debt than CDU graduates ($12,920 vs. $21,319).
• Among borrowers, Cal State LA graduates have an estimated $87 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CDU graduates ($133 vs. $220).
• More Cal State LA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CDU students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 56%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.