Cal State LA vs. SCI-Arc

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Los Angeles in Los Angeles, CA with Southern California Institute of Architecture in Los Angeles, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Los Angeles is larger than SCI-Arc based on total student enrollment (23,163 students vs. 418 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); Southern California Institute of Architecture is in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting).
• California State University Los Angeles is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern California Institute of Architecture is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Los Angeles 21:1; Southern California Institute of Architecture 9:1.

Cal State LA vs. SCI-Arc Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State LA or SCI-Arc? 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 SCI-Arc ($4,460 vs. $28,985).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern California Institute of Architecture are 31% lower than at California State University Los Angeles ($13,600 vs. $19,696).
• Southern California Institute of Architecture is 684.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State LA (about $49,002 more per year; $56,162.00 vs. $7,160.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 184.2% higher at SCI-Arc than at California State University Los Angeles (about $36,402 more per year; $56,162.00 vs. $19,760.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Los Angeles than at Southern California Institute of Architecture (94% vs. 26%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern California Institute of Architecture students is 208.4% larger than aid received by California State University Los Angeles students ($42,627 vs. $13,824).

Cal State LA vs. SCI-Arc Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cal State LA or SCI-Arc? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between SCI-Arc and Cal State LA.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Southern California Institute of Architecture (1130) is 160 points higher than at Cal State LA (970).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: California State University Los Angeles 870/1060; Southern California Institute of Architecture 1020/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: California State University Los Angeles 15/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State LA - Test-free; SCI-Arc - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State LA Jan 19, 2027; SCI-Arc Jan 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman SCI-Arc students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Cal State LA (3.31).
• Cal State LA has a higher acceptance rate (91.3%) than SCI-Arc (76.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.4% at Cal State LA vs. 7% at SCI-Arc.

Cal State LA vs. SCI-Arc Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal State LA and SCI-Arc? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Southern California Institute of Architecture's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than California State University Los Angeles's (36%).
• Graduates from California State University Los Angeles earn a median of about $500 more per year than SCI-Arc graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,900 vs. $46,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Los Angeles graduates have a $29,830 lower median loan debt than SCI-Arc graduates ($12,920 vs. $42,750).
• Among borrowers, Cal State LA graduates have an estimated $309 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SCI-Arc graduates ($133 vs. $442).
• More SCI-Arc graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cal State LA students, three years after graduation. (62% 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.