Cal State LA vs. Pacific Oaks College

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Los Angeles is larger than Pacific Oaks College based on total student enrollment (23,163 students vs. 1,068 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); Pacific Oaks College is in Pasadena, CA (Midsize City setting).
• California State University Los Angeles is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Pacific Oaks College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Los Angeles 21:1; Pacific Oaks College 11:1.

Cal State LA vs. Pacific Oaks College Cost Comparison

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

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific Oaks College are 2.6% lower than at California State University Los Angeles ($19,185 vs. $19,696).
• Pacific Oaks College is 354.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State LA (about $25,360 more per year; $32,520.00 vs. $7,160.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 64.6% higher at Pacific Oaks College than at California State University Los Angeles (about $12,760 more per year; $32,520.00 vs. $19,760.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Los Angeles than at Pacific Oaks College (94% vs. 0%).

Cal State LA vs. Pacific Oaks College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cal State LA or Pacific Oaks College? 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 Pacific Oaks College and Cal State LA.

• 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; Pacific Oaks College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State LA Jan 19, 2027.
• Cal State LA has a higher acceptance rate (91.3%) than Pacific Oaks College (34.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.4% at Cal State LA vs. 22.7% at Pacific Oaks College.

Cal State LA vs. Pacific Oaks College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal State LA and Pacific Oaks College? 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 California State University Los Angeles earn a median of about $4,800 more per year than Pacific Oaks College graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,900 vs. $42,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Los Angeles graduates have a $8,047 lower median loan debt than Pacific Oaks College graduates ($12,920 vs. $20,967).
• Among borrowers, Cal State LA graduates have an estimated $83 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pacific Oaks College graduates ($133 vs. $216).
• More Cal State LA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pacific Oaks College students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 51%)

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.