Cal State LA vs. La Sierra University

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Los Angeles in Los Angeles, CA with La Sierra University in Riverside, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Los Angeles is larger than La Sierra University based on total student enrollment (23,163 students vs. 1,574 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); La Sierra University is in Riverside, CA (Large City setting).
• California State University Los Angeles is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. La Sierra University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Los Angeles 21:1; La Sierra University 12:1.

Cal State LA vs. La Sierra University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State LA or La Sierra University? 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 La Sierra University ($4,460 vs. $23,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at La Sierra University are 31.8% lower than at California State University Los Angeles ($13,431 vs. $19,696).
• La Sierra University is 426.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State LA (about $30,550 more per year; $37,710.00 vs. $7,160.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 90.8% higher at La Sierra University than at California State University Los Angeles (about $17,950 more per year; $37,710.00 vs. $19,760.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at La Sierra University than at California State University Los Angeles (98% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by La Sierra University students is 100% larger than aid received by California State University Los Angeles students ($27,646 vs. $13,824).

Cal State LA vs. La Sierra University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cal State LA or La Sierra University? 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 La Sierra University and Cal State LA.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at La Sierra University (1010) is 40 points higher than at Cal State LA (970).
• Incoming La Sierra University students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 17 at Cal State LA).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Los Angeles 870/1060; La Sierra University 880/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Los Angeles 15/20; La Sierra University 18/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State LA - Test-free; La Sierra University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State LA Jan 19, 2027.
• Accepted freshman La Sierra University students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at Cal State LA (3.31).
• La Sierra University has a higher acceptance rate (91.5%) than Cal State LA (91.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.4% at Cal State LA vs. 13.3% at La Sierra University.

Cal State LA vs. La Sierra University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal State LA and La Sierra University? 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).

• California State University Los Angeles's six-year graduation rate (36%) is higher than La Sierra University's (32%).
• Graduates from La Sierra University earn a median of about $5,000 more per year than Cal State LA graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,900 vs. $46,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Los Angeles graduates have a $17,080 lower median loan debt than La Sierra University graduates ($12,920 vs. $30,000).
• Among borrowers, Cal State LA graduates have an estimated $177 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than La Sierra University graduates ($133 vs. $310).
• More Cal State LA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former La Sierra University students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 52%)

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.