Cal State LA vs. PUC

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Los Angeles is larger than PUC based on total student enrollment (23,163 students vs. 974 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cal State LA vs. PUC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State LA or PUC? 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 PUC ($4,460 vs. $22,767).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific Union College are 50.2% lower than at California State University Los Angeles ($9,816 vs. $19,696).
• Pacific Union College is 419.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State LA (about $30,013 more per year; $37,173.00 vs. $7,160.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 88.1% higher at PUC than at California State University Los Angeles (about $17,413 more per year; $37,173.00 vs. $19,760.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pacific Union College than at California State University Los Angeles (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Union College students is 92.6% larger than aid received by California State University Los Angeles students ($26,629 vs. $13,824).

Cal State LA vs. PUC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cal State LA or PUC? 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 PUC and Cal State LA.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Pacific Union College (1060) is 90 points higher than at Cal State LA (970).
• Incoming PUC students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 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; Pacific Union College 930/1190.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Los Angeles 15/20; Pacific Union College 20/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State LA - Test-free; PUC - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State LA Jan 19, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cal State LA students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at PUC (3.24).
• Cal State LA has a higher acceptance rate (91.3%) than PUC (47.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.4% at Cal State LA vs. 14% at PUC.

Cal State LA vs. PUC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal State LA and PUC? 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).

• Pacific Union College's six-year graduation rate (45%) is higher than California State University Los Angeles's (36%).
• Graduates from Pacific Union College earn a median of about $12,300 more per year than Cal State LA graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,200 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 PUC graduates ($12,920 vs. $30,000).
• Among borrowers, Cal State LA graduates have an estimated $177 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PUC graduates ($133 vs. $310).
• More PUC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cal State LA students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 57%)

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.