Cal State LA vs. Life Pacific University

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Los Angeles in Los Angeles, CA with Life Pacific University in San Dimas, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Los Angeles is larger than Life Pacific University based on total student enrollment (23,163 students vs. 621 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cal State LA vs. Life Pacific University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State LA or Life Pacific 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 Life Pacific University ($4,460 vs. $21,602).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Life Pacific University are 38.1% lower than at California State University Los Angeles ($12,190 vs. $19,696).
• Life Pacific University is 208.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State LA (about $14,958 more per year; $22,118.00 vs. $7,160.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.9% higher at Life Pacific University than at California State University Los Angeles (about $2,358 more per year; $22,118.00 vs. $19,760.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Life Pacific University 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 0.9% larger than aid received by Life Pacific University students ($13,824 vs. $13,696).

Cal State LA vs. Life Pacific University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cal State LA or Life Pacific 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 Life Pacific University and Cal State LA.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Life Pacific University (1010) is 40 points higher than at Cal State LA (970).
• Incoming Life Pacific University students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 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; Life Pacific University 930/1085.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Los Angeles 15/20; Life Pacific University 16/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State LA - Test-free; Life Pacific University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State LA Jan 19, 2027; Life Pacific University May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cal State LA students have a 0.4 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at Life Pacific University (2.91).
• Life Pacific University has a higher acceptance rate (95.8%) than Cal State LA (91.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.4% at Cal State LA vs. 33.8% at Life Pacific University.

Cal State LA vs. Life Pacific University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal State LA and Life Pacific 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 Life Pacific University's (33%).
• Graduates from California State University Los Angeles earn a median of about $14,900 more per year than Life Pacific University graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,900 vs. $32,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Los Angeles graduates have a $7,610 lower median loan debt than Life Pacific University graduates ($12,920 vs. $20,530).
• Among borrowers, Cal State LA graduates have an estimated $79 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Life Pacific University graduates ($133 vs. $212).
• More Cal State LA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Life Pacific University students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 54%)

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.