UCLA vs. USF

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Los Angeles is larger than USF based on total student enrollment (47,335 students vs. 8,913 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); University of San Francisco is in San Francisco, CA (Large City setting).
• University of California Los Angeles is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of San Francisco is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Los Angeles 20:1; University of San Francisco 11:1.

UCLA vs. USF Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCLA or USF? 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 University of California Los Angeles than USF ($14,512 vs. $45,443).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California Los Angeles are 7.1% lower than at University of San Francisco ($18,369 vs. $19,764).
• University of San Francisco is 297.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCLA (about $45,289 more per year; $60,492.00 vs. $15,203.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 22.4% higher at USF than at University of California Los Angeles (about $11,089 more per year; $60,492.00 vs. $49,403.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of San Francisco than at University of California Los Angeles (95% vs. 49%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of San Francisco students is 35.5% larger than aid received by University of California Los Angeles students ($34,723 vs. $25,627).

UCLA vs. USF Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCLA or USF? 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 USF and UCLA.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Los Angeles (1420) is 130 points higher than at USF (1290).
• Incoming UCLA students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 27 at USF).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Los Angeles 1300/1530; University of San Francisco 1190/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Los Angeles 29/35; University of San Francisco 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCLA - Test-free; USF - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCLA Nov 30, 2026; USF Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UCLA students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at USF (3.57).
• USF has a higher acceptance rate (61.7%) than UCLA (9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 50.4% at UCLA vs. 6% at USF.

UCLA vs. USF Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCLA and USF? 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 University of San Francisco's (70%).
• Graduates from University of California Los Angeles earn a median of about $300 more per year than USF graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,700 vs. $70,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Los Angeles graduates have a $8,700 lower median loan debt than USF graduates ($16,300 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, UCLA graduates have an estimated $90 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USF graduates ($168 vs. $258).
• More UCLA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USF 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.