Cal State LA vs. Life University

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Los Angeles is larger than Life University based on total student enrollment (23,163 students vs. 2,714 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); Life University is in Marietta, GA (Small City setting).
• California State University Los Angeles is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Life University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Los Angeles 21:1; Life University 15:1.

Cal State LA vs. Life University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State LA or Life 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 University ($4,460 vs. $29,111).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Life University are 24.6% lower than at California State University Los Angeles ($14,850 vs. $19,696).
• Life University is 110% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State LA (about $7,876 more per year; $15,036.00 vs. $7,160.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 31.4% higher at Cal State LA than at Life University (about $4,724 more per year; $19,760.00 vs. $15,036.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Los Angeles than at Life University (94% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Los Angeles students is 22.4% larger than aid received by Life University students ($13,824 vs. $11,292).

Cal State LA vs. Life University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Life University (1030) is 60 points higher than at Cal State LA (970).
• Incoming Life University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (18 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 University 920/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Los Angeles 15/20; Life University 17/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State LA - Test-free; Life University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State LA Jan 19, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cal State LA students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at Life University (3.11).
• Life University has a higher acceptance rate (93%) than Cal State LA (91.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.4% at Cal State LA vs. 42.1% at Life University.

Cal State LA vs. Life University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal State LA and Life 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).

• Life University's six-year graduation rate (52%) is higher than California State University Los Angeles's (36%).
• Graduates of California State University Los Angeles and Life University have equivalent median earnings about ten years after starting college ($46,900 vs. $46,900), per the federal College Scorecard cohort (typically among students working and not enrolled).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Life University graduates have a $4,586 lower median loan debt than Cal State LA graduates ($8,334 vs. $12,920).
• Among borrowers, Life University graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cal State LA graduates ($86 vs. $133).
• More Cal State LA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Life University students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 33%)

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.