California State University-Los Angeles
Cal State LA
Los Angeles, California 90032-8506
Data last updated: August 29, 2026
Known for business — major research university
California State University-Los Angeles is a public institution in Los Angeles with particular strength in business and health sciences.
A large campus of 21.5K undergraduates with a 19:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.
53% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $59,211 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $4,113.
Rankings
More About This School
Varsity Sports — Diablos
History & Fun Facts
- •History First half of 20th century Flock of sheep with houses in background, Los Angeles County, about 1880, Photo taken on the Rancho Rosa de Castillo.
- •Homecoming in the 1940s at Cal State LA The university is located on the site of one of California's 36 original adobes, built in 1776 by Franciscan missionaries and destroyed by fire in 1908.
- •When the Spanish Franciscans founded the San Gabriel Mission in 1771, they dubbed the small river El Rio Rosa de Castillo.
- •Cal State LA was founded on July 2, 1947, by an act of the California legislature and opened for classes as Los Angeles State College on the campus of Los Angeles City College (LACC).
Source: Wikipedia
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Admissions
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.
Typical Application Requirements
Cost & Financial Aid
Sticker Price
Net Price by Family Income
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.
Debt & Aid Detail
Net Price Trend
Tuition Trend
Graduate w/ Zero Debt
80.0%
Avg Tuition Increase
1.1%/yr
Median Debt at Grad
$11,966
Programs (160)
Outcomes
Median Earnings After Graduation
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.
Student Life
Student Satisfaction
Retention Rate
73%
Student Body
Race & Ethnicity
Campus Safety
Total Incidents (2024)
163
Peer Average
240
3-Year Trend
Emergency System
24/7 campus police department, blue-light phone network, emergency mass notification system
Incident Breakdown (2024)
Burglary
Aggravated Assault
Robbery
Motor Vehicle Theft
Sex Offenses
Arson
Drug Arrests
Liquor Arrests
Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).
Location & Lifestyle
Cost of Living
Estimated from CA state average + large city premium