Cal State LA vs. Palm Beach State College

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Los Angeles in Los Angeles, CA with Palm Beach State College in Lake Worth, FL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Palm Beach State College is larger than Cal State LA based on total student enrollment (25,916 students vs. 23,163 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); Palm Beach State College is in Lake Worth, FL (Large Suburban setting).
• California State University Los Angeles is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Palm Beach State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Los Angeles 21:1; Palm Beach State College 31:1.

Cal State LA vs. Palm Beach State College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State LA or Palm Beach State College? 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 Palm Beach State College ($4,460 vs. $9,577).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Palm Beach State College are 34.9% lower than at California State University Los Angeles ($12,825 vs. $19,696).
• California State University Los Angeles is 134.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Palm Beach State College (about $4,110 more per year; $7,160.00 vs. $3,050.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 81.1% higher at Cal State LA than at Palm Beach State College (about $8,850 more per year; $19,760.00 vs. $10,910.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Los Angeles than at Palm Beach State College (94% vs. 68%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Los Angeles students is 94.5% larger than aid received by Palm Beach State College students ($13,824 vs. $7,107).

Cal State LA vs. Palm Beach State College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cal State LA or Palm Beach State 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 Palm Beach State College and Cal State LA.

• Palm Beach State College reports an open admissions policy.
• 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; Palm Beach State College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State LA Jan 19, 2027; Palm Beach State College Aug 20, 2027.

Cal State LA vs. Palm Beach State College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal State LA and Palm Beach State 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 $10,900 more per year than Palm Beach State College graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,900 vs. $36,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Palm Beach State College graduates have a $7,170 lower median loan debt than Cal State LA graduates ($5,750 vs. $12,920).
• Among borrowers, Palm Beach State College graduates have an estimated $74 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cal State LA graduates ($59 vs. $133).
• More Cal State LA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Palm Beach State College students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 38%)

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.