Chosen by Forbes in 2018 as the best institution, the University of California, Los Angeles is the public school that receives the most applications in the United States. Located in one of the most expensive cities in the United States, the school has a financial aid department that guides young people toward the best option to pay for their education. According to the university itself, about 45% of students do not pay tuition. This article will enlighten you on all you need to know about the admission rate at UCLA and its expenses. Let’s start with the the topic Is It Hard To Study At UCLA?

Is It Hard To Study At UCLA?
It is not easy getting into UCLA to study but you should note that It is easier to get in if you have not decided on a major since many programs are impacted. You need great scores, a solid GPA, great letters of recommendation, and show that you have other activities like volunteer work, a job, or something that shows you can handle significant responsibilities. You need to understand that you are not the only one with good academic results, this is why you need to prove it to them through interviews. Another thing that can serve as a challenge is your background. They will want to know if you can handle the cost of the tuition fees and cost of living in the school.
How Much Does It Cost To Study At UCLA
It was stated above that almost half of the students do not pay tuition fees, they depend on programs to sponsor them. This scholarship opportunity is based on need, academic merit, background, specific talents, or professional interests. Another method students use in paying is to take out a low-interest loan, work part-time at the university, and if they have family help, parents can take out a loan for their children.
Non-California residents and other international students have to pay higher tuition. The difference is that the former can obtain a scholarship. Since it is necessary to be a citizen or permanent resident of the US to receive financial aid from the university. These are the expenses to cover to study at UCLA.
Living on campus is listed below but for those who choose to live outside the campus the amount will vary according to the students living habits and how much time they spent on campus
- Tuition and registration: $13,225
- Room and board: $15,900.
- Books and school supplies: $1,464
- Transportation: $441.
- Personal expenses: $1,506.
- Medical insurance: $2,225
- Extra registration for non-residents and international students: $29,754
The annual expenses for California residents are $34,761 while for non-California residents and international students it is $64,515.
Admission Requirements For UCLA
Before you can get admission to the University of California, Los Angeles, you should have a little bit of knowledge of the GPA requirements, admission or acceptance rate, and test score policy which includes SAT and ACT requirements. The admission or acceptance rate of UCLA is 26% for the 2026 class, and this indicates a low acceptance rate compared to other prestigious in the united state.
GPA Requirements at UCLA
Many schools specify a minimum GPA requirement, but this is often just the bare minimum to apply right away without being rejected. The GPA requirement that matters is the GPA you need to have a real chance of getting in. For this, we look at the school’s average GPA for its current students.
The average GPA at UCLA is 3.9, and this makes it extremely competitive
SAT Score Requirements at UCLA
Each school has different requirements for standardized tests. The majority of schools in the United States require SAT or ACT, while some require SAT Subject Tests alone. But all in all, SAT or ACT score is essential in applying to UCLA.
The school average SAT Score is 1405 while the mean SAT score ranges from 1290 to 1510 respectively. Hence, UCLA is considered strongly competitive as far as test score is concerned. You should be aware that the school considers an “All scores” policy for their sat score policy. This is beneficial to you because you can decide on whichever test score you want to send to UCLA among the ones you have undergone, and it is their job to select the one with the highest score
ACT Score Requirements at UCLA
Apart from the institution accepting SAT scores, your ACT score is also important in the absence of SAT score. Arguably, a very low ACT score will not be considered. This indicates that no admission. UCLA’s average ACT score is 31 and it ranges from 27 to 34 respectively, like the SAT score ACT score is also strongly competitive at UCLA. You should note that you are only required to submit your highest ACT score alone.
Conclusion
UCLA is considered a public land grant research institution in the United States, it is known to offer quality education to its students. This makes it have a large number of applicants every year, and eventually, it leads to a low acceptance rate on their part. The low acceptance rate makes people think that it is very challenging to gain admission and study in the institution. But the truth is with proper academic merit and proof that you will judiciously make use of their resources, it will be so easy for you to study at UCLA
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is a 3.4 GPA appropriate before I can get into UCLA?
You sure can. It all leads to your major, it is the major that will determine your acceptance. Another thing to consider with a low GPA is your statement, your goals, etc. GPA alone cannot predict your admission
- What does UCLA look for in students?
Universities, especially those as competitive as UCLA, are looking for someone who can make a good return on their investment. Just as you are investing time and (lots of) money to receive an education/socialization experience/life experience that will hopefully benefit you as a human being and contributor to society and the workforce, UCLA is looking for someone who has the desire to become a better person and a contributor to society and evidences it via their schoolwork, test scores, and extracurriculars. Top-tier universities essentially tie their name to you once they admit you (and you decide to attend, but that’s not their choice) – you get to use their name on your resume, if it is a top-tier university, it can potentially open doors.