UCLA vs. San Jose State

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Los Angeles is larger than San Jose State based on total student enrollment (47,335 students vs. 37,661 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); San Jose State University is in San Jose, CA (Large City setting).
• University of California Los Angeles is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. San Jose State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Los Angeles 20:1; San Jose State University 25:1.

UCLA vs. San Jose State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCLA or San Jose State? 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 San Jose State University than UCLA ($13,892 vs. $14,512).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California Los Angeles are 12.4% lower than at San Jose State University ($18,369 vs. $20,971).
• University of California Los Angeles is 80.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Jose State (about $6,793 more per year; $15,203.00 vs. $8,410.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 135.1% higher at UCLA than at San Jose State University (about $28,393 more per year; $49,403.00 vs. $21,010.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at San Jose State University than at University of California Los Angeles (63% vs. 49%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Los Angeles students is 107.5% larger than aid received by San Jose State University students ($25,627 vs. $12,353).

UCLA vs. San Jose State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCLA or San Jose State? 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 San Jose State and UCLA.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Los Angeles (1420) is 290 points higher than at San Jose State (1130).
• Incoming UCLA students have a 10 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 22 at San Jose State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Los Angeles 1300/1530; San Jose State University 1010/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Los Angeles 29/35; San Jose State University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCLA - Test-free; San Jose State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCLA Nov 30, 2026; San Jose State Dec 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UCLA students have a 0.57 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at San Jose State (3.35).
• San Jose State has a higher acceptance rate (84.6%) than UCLA (9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 50.4% at UCLA vs. 14.7% at San Jose State.

UCLA vs. San Jose State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCLA and San Jose State? 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).

• University of California Los Angeles's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than San Jose State University's (46%).
• Graduates from University of California Los Angeles earn a median of about $10,800 more per year than San Jose State graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,700 vs. $59,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Jose State University graduates have a $1,300 lower median loan debt than UCLA graduates ($15,000 vs. $16,300).
• Among borrowers, San Jose State graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UCLA graduates ($155 vs. $168).
• More UCLA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former San Jose State students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 73%)

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.