Cal State LA vs. South Texas College

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Los Angeles in Los Angeles, CA with South Texas College in McAllen, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

South Texas College is larger than Cal State LA based on total student enrollment (27,431 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); South Texas College is in McAllen, TX (Midsize City setting).
• California State University Los Angeles is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. South Texas College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Los Angeles 21:1; South Texas College 22:1.

Cal State LA vs. South Texas College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State LA or South Texas 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 South Texas College than Cal State LA ($1,844 vs. $4,460).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at South Texas College are 56.1% lower than at California State University Los Angeles ($8,638 vs. $19,696).
• California State University Los Angeles is 37.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than South Texas College (about $1,940 more per year; $7,160.00 vs. $5,220.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 159.3% higher at Cal State LA than at South Texas College (about $12,140 more per year; $19,760.00 vs. $7,620.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Los Angeles than at South Texas College (94% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Los Angeles students is 83.2% larger than aid received by South Texas College students ($13,824 vs. $7,547).

Cal State LA vs. South Texas College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cal State LA or South Texas 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 South Texas College and Cal State LA.

• South Texas 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; South Texas College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State LA Jan 19, 2027; South Texas College Jun 18, 2027.

Cal State LA vs. South Texas College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal State LA and South Texas 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 $12,700 more per year than South Texas College graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,900 vs. $34,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.

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.