Cal State LA vs. OUAZ-Surprise

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Los Angeles is larger than OUAZ-Surprise based on total student enrollment (23,163 students vs. 912 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); Ottawa University Surprise is in Surprise, Arizona (Large Suburban setting).
• California State University Los Angeles is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Ottawa University Surprise is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Los Angeles 21:1; Ottawa University Surprise 11:1.

Cal State LA vs. OUAZ-Surprise Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State LA or OUAZ-Surprise? 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 OUAZ-Surprise ($4,460 vs. $34,037).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ottawa University Surprise are 16.2% lower than at California State University Los Angeles ($16,500 vs. $19,696).
• Ottawa University Surprise is 401.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State LA (about $28,720 more per year; $35,880.00 vs. $7,160.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 81.6% higher at OUAZ-Surprise than at California State University Los Angeles (about $16,120 more per year; $35,880.00 vs. $19,760.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ottawa University Surprise than at California State University Los Angeles (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ottawa University Surprise students is 32.5% larger than aid received by California State University Los Angeles students ($18,321 vs. $13,824).

Cal State LA vs. OUAZ-Surprise Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cal State LA or OUAZ-Surprise? 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 OUAZ-Surprise and Cal State LA.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Ottawa University Surprise (1000) is 30 points higher than at Cal State LA (970).
• Incoming OUAZ-Surprise 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; Ottawa University Surprise 840/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Los Angeles 15/20; Ottawa University Surprise 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State LA - Test-free; OUAZ-Surprise - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State LA Jan 19, 2027.
• Cal State LA has a higher acceptance rate (91.3%) than OUAZ-Surprise (78.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.4% at Cal State LA vs. 26.3% at OUAZ-Surprise.

Cal State LA vs. OUAZ-Surprise Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal State LA and OUAZ-Surprise? 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).

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.