UCLA Acceptance Rate
UCLA at a Glance
UCLA Rankings
| Ranking | 2025 | Year |
|---|---|---|
| US News National Universities | #20 | 2025 |
| QS World University Rankings | #32 | 2025 |
| THE World University Rankings | #18 | 2025 |
| ARWU (Shanghai) | #13 | 2024 |
| US News Best Public Universities | #1 | 2025 |
Show 10-Year US News Ranking History
| 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #23 | #24 | #21 | #19 | #20 | #20 | #20 | #20 | #15 | #20 |
US News National Universities: #23 (2016) → #20 (2025) ↑ 3 spots
UCLA Admissions Overview
University of California-Los Angeles is a public university in Los Angeles, CA with 33,475 students. With a 9.0% acceptance rate, it ranks among the most selective institutions in the country. The most popular majors are Social Sciences, Biological Sciences, and Psychology. The 93% graduation rate is well above the national average, signaling strong student support. Graduates earn a median of $82,511 ten years after enrollment.
| Full Name | University of California-Los Angeles |
| Location | Los Angeles, CA 90095 |
| Type | Public |
| Website | ucla.edu |
| Total Enrollment | 33,475 |
| Undergrad Enrollment | 32,423 |
| Graduate Enrollment | 13,940 |
| Female Students | 57.0% |
| Freshman Retention | 97.0% |
Is UCLA a Reach, Match, or Safety?
With an acceptance rate of 9.0%, UCLA is a Reach for most applicants. You'll need a standout application — strong GPA, meaningful extracurriculars, and compelling essays — to have realistic odds here.
| Your Profile | UCLA Is... | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| Above-average GPA + strong application | Match | Apply — worth the effort |
| Average GPA, some strengths | Reach | Apply, but have 2-3 backup schools |
| Below-average GPA | Hard Reach | Consider similar schools with higher acceptance rates |
UCLA True Cost by Family Income
Sticker price doesn't tell the full story at UCLA. Families earning $0-30k pay around $5,579 per year after aid, while those in the $110k+ bracket pay about $29,682. 28% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating UCLA enrolls a meaningful share of lower-income students. The median debt of $14,000 is very manageable relative to the $59,063 median salary six years out.
| Family Income | Annual Net Price | 4-Year Total | vs Sticker Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0-30k | $5,579 | $22,316 | -89% |
| $30-48k | $6,682 | $26,728 | -86% |
| $48-75k | $9,811 | $39,244 | -80% |
| $75-110k | $14,142 | $56,568 | -71% |
| $110k+ | $29,682 | $118,728 | -40% |
Cost Breakdown
| Tuition (In-State) | $15,203 |
| Tuition (Out-of-State) | $49,403 |
| Room & Board | $17,952 |
| Books & Supplies | $1,251 |
| Other Expenses | $3,276 |
| Total Cost of Attendance | $38,614 |
Want to see how UCLA stacks up? Compare college costs side by side and check the college rankings by net price and salary outcomes.
Popular Majors at UCLA
The most popular fields of study, ranked by the number of degrees awarded.
{sn} Student Demographics
Transfer to UCLA
Transferring into UCLA (24.0% transfer rate) is actually easier than freshman admission (9.0%). Community college students with strong GPAs have a real path here.
UCLA transfer acceptance rate: 24.0% (vs 9.0% freshman rate — 2.7x more accessible).
Top Feeder Schools
| # | School | Annual Transfers |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Monica College | 1,200+ |
| 2 | Pasadena City College | 450+ |
| 3 | De Anza College | 380+ |
| 4 | Diablo Valley College | 320+ |
| 5 | Irvine Valley College | 280+ |
How to Get Into UCLA
UCLA is a Reach school for nearly all applicants. Beyond grades and scores, UCLA wants to see intellectual curiosity, leadership, and a clear sense of purpose in your application. Have 2-3 realistic backup schools — even perfect-on-paper students get denied here.
What UCLA Values Most in Applicants
Admission factor importance from the Common Data Set — what the school officially says matters.
| Factor | Importance |
|---|---|
| Academic Gpa | Very Important |
| Rigor Of Secondary School Record | Very Important |
| Class Rank | Considered |
| Standardized Test Scores | Considered |
| Application Essay | Very Important |
| Recommendation | Not Considered |
| Extracurricular Activities | Very Important |
| Talent Ability | Very Important |
| Character Personal Qualities | Very Important |
| First Generation | Important |
| Alumni Relation | Not Considered |
| Interview | Not Considered |
| Work Experience | Important |
| Volunteer Work | Important |
GPA Profile of Admitted Students at UCLA
High school GPA distribution of enrolled freshmen, from the Common Data Set.
Want to know your odds? Use the college admissions calculator to see your chances at UCLA by GPA and SAT/ACT — or calculate your college GPA first to check where you stand.
UCLA Application Deadlines & Requirements
Key dates for the UCLA UC admission cycle. Mark these on your calendar — missing a deadline means waiting another year.
| Deadline | Date |
|---|---|
| Regular Decision | Nov 30 |
| Financial Aid (FAFSA/CSS) | Mar 2 |
See UCLA alongside every school in our full college application deadlines calendar for 2026–2027.
{sn} Financial Aid & Student Debt
Frequently Asked Questions About UCLA
Other Colleges in CA
Data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, IPEDS. UCLA is not affiliated with NextColleges.