UCLA
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 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 |
Popular Majors at UCLA
The most popular fields of study, ranked by the number of degrees awarded.
Student Demographics
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.
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 |
Frequently Asked Questions About UCLA
More About UCLA
Other Colleges in CA
Data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, IPEDS. UCLA is not affiliated with DeepColleges.