University of California, Los Angeles: Ranking, Courses, Admission, Fees, Scholarship & Placements

University of California, Los Angeles Highlights 

The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is a prestigious public research institute established in 1919. Located in Los Angeles, the university is known for its diverse programs, academic excellence, vibrant social life, cutting-edge research technology, and a significant percentage of international students. 

Students looking to Study In the USA should note that as of fall 2023, UCLA received around 145,904 admission applications, of which only 12,779 were given admission into their respective institutions, making the admission rate a brutal 8.8%. This proves the competitive atmosphere of this highly reputed university. 

With a QS World Ranking of #44 and a US World and News Report Ranking of #14, this institute can be considered one of the best universities in the US. Additionally, the university has a diverse crowd of around 7% of international students. UCLA has a sprawling campus spread over 400 acres (about half the area of Central Park in New York City) in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles. 

The university offers several unique highlights that make it one of the top choices among Indian students planning to study in the USA. Below are some of the facts and highlights of the institution. 

• UCLA’s athletic team has a prestigious reputation of succession in various sports, with many wins in NCAA championships.  
• The university is a global research leader, advancing in various fields such as neuroscience, sustainable energy, stem cell research, etc. 
• The university has a fun tradition of “Midnight Yell”, where students shout at midnight during finals week to take a break from studying.  
• The most in-demand UG majors in the university are business economics, biology, psychology, political science, and psychobiology. 

University of California, Los Angeles Rankings

National Rankings: UCLA consistently ranks among the top public universities in the U.S., often placed in the top 20 in national rankings like U.S. News & World Report.

• U.S. News & World Report: UCLA is ranked 15th in the U.S. This ranking is based on academic quality, research output, and faculty resources.
• Forbes:UCLA is ranked 6thin the U.S., emphasizing its return on investment, academic strength, and student satisfaction.

World Rankings: Globally, UCLA is recognized as one of the leading research universities, frequently ranked within the top 40 by QS World University Rankings and Times Higher Education.

Times Higher Education (THE): UCLA is ranked 18th globally. This ranking highlights its reputation in research, teaching, and international outlook.

QS World University Rankings:UCLA is ranked 29thworldwide, excelling in subjects like Engineering, Computer Science, and Medicine.

Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU): UCLA is ranked 14th globally, reflecting its research performance and contributions across various disciplines.

To know more about other universities in the USA, click here.

University of California, Los Angeles Admissions 

Undergraduate Admission Eligibility Requirements at the University of California, LA 

• The university offers more than 130 undergraduate admissions for students looking to Study In the USA, with the school of nursing being the most competitive (1% acceptance rate). 
• Entry requirements demand that students apply online through the official UC application site. The application fee is around 80 USD. 
• For UG programs, students must have completed 13 years of complete education, with an academic score of around 89%.  
• The university required an IELTS overall band of 7.0 or a TOEFL score of around 100. (any one of the two). 

Postgraduate Admission Eligibility Requirements at the University of California, LA 

• The university admits around 6,000 applicants for postgraduate programs yearly out of the 21,000 who apply.  
• Students are required to apply through the UCLA Graduate Admission portal only. No other applications are entertained.  
• Students must have a 4-year bachelor's equivalent, an aggregate GPA of 3.0, LORs, SOPs, and a well-maintained resume.  
• Regarding language test submissions, students must present either an IELTS overall score of 7.0 or a TOEFL IBT score of at least 87. 

University of California, Los Angeles Programs 

The University of California offers various programs for undergraduate and postgraduate degrees for students looking to Study In the USA. Some of the most popular UCLA programs include: 

• Bachelor of Science (B.S) in Biology 
• Bachelor of Science (B.S) in Psychobiology 
• Bachelor of Arts (B.A) in Political Science 
• Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Economics 
• Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Communication Studies 
• Pre-Medical Study Courses 
• Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Applied Mathematics 
• Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Psychology 
• Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Business Economics 
• Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Computer Science 

University of California, Los Angeles Intakes

• UCLA has a primary intake for the Fall quarter, with application deadlines typically in November of the previous year.
• There are also limited admissions for the Winter and Spring quarters, though the Fall intake remains the most significant and competitive.

University of California, Los Angeles Acceptance Rate

UCLA is highly selective, with an acceptance rate of around 12-14%. The university receives a large volume of applications each year, and the admissions process is highly competitive. Applicants are evaluated based on academic achievements, extracurricular activities, personal statements, and letters of recommendation. The selective nature of the admissions process ensures that UCLA attracts high-caliber students from around the world.

Here’s a look at how the University of California, Los Angeles acceptance rate has changed over the past few years:

• 2020: 14%
• 2021: 10.8%
• 2022: 9.2%
• 2023: 9%

This trend of declining acceptance rates at the University of California Los Angeles acceptance rate reflects the increasing number of applicants each year and the high academic standards that UCLA maintains.

University of California, Los Angeles Accommodation 

UCLA offers a wide spectrum of accommodation options for students. Below are some details on the accommodation options Indian students can consider.  

Apartments: The University offers on-campus apartments for international and domestic students to encourage an independent living lifestyle. These apartments are equipped with amenities like living rooms, kitchens, etc.  

Residential Halls: The University of California also offers suite-style living, allowing students to choose between single and shared rooms. These dorm rooms are equipped with top facilities to ensure that students face no inconvenience during their stay.  

University Apartments: These are off-campus housing alternatives owned by the university, situated in various neighborhoods around the campus. Each apartment complex offers a community of residents to foster connections among peers.  

University of California, Los Angeles Cost 

Course Fee for UCLA 

Below is a brief list of first-year course fees for the most popular programs at UCLA. Note that the cost is subject to change each year.  

• Master of Science – INR 22.1 Lakhs to 27 Lakhs 
• Master of Business Administration – INR 62 Lakhs  
• Bachelor of Technology/Engineering - INR 35.7 to 39 Lakhs 
• Bachelor of Arts – INR 27.1 Lakhs to 35.7 Lakhs 
• Bachelor of Science – INR 35.7 to 39.1 Lakhs 
• Master of Arts – INR 22.1 Lakhs 
• Bachelor of Business Administration – INR 37.2 to 39.1 Lakhs 
• Master of Engineering – INR 22.3 Lakhs 

University of California, Los Angeles Living Cost

The Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles boasts a high standard of living. Therefore, on-campus and off-campus accommodation and travel options can get a little hefty when one studies at a prestigious institute like UCLA.  

Students will have to spend around USD 50,000 to 60,000 as their total cost. These expenses include tuition fees, housing rent, travel, and transportation. However, the cost can vary based on a student’s financial flexibility and budget.  

University of California, Los Angeles Scholarships  

While many scholarships are reserved for permanent residents of the country, UCLA provides several grants, fellowships, and scholarships to international students. Below are some popular scholarships awarded to meritorious students of the UCLA community:

UCLA Regents Scholarship 

This prestigious scholarship is awarded based on a student’s academic excellence, leadership capabilities, and extra-curricular achievements. The scholarship covers the entire tuition fee and provides a living stipend of around $2,000 regardless of financial need. Students are required to maintain a GPA of 3.0 in all quarters to avail themselves of the scholarship.  

UCLA Achievement Scholarship  

This scholarship is awarded to entering freshmen who excel in academics and community involvement. Awards under this program range from $500-$10,000 each year and are offered for a total duration of 4 years. This scholarship is exclusively awarded to financially unsupported students; therefore, applicants would be required to submit honest proof of financial need if they get selected.  

College Honor Scholarships  

These scholarships are exclusively awarded to undergraduate students in the UCLA Honors programs. The scholarship value ranges from $1000 to $4000 for one academic year. Additionally, students must be current College Honors students to avail themselves of the benefits of this scholarship. 

To know about the USA study visa requirements, click here.

University of California, Los Angeles Placements  

The placement rates for UCLA stand at an outstanding and perfect score of 100%, that too within 6 months as a graduate. Students are placed in some top MNCs worldwide, including Amazon, Intel, Goldman Sachs, Ernst, KPMG, and many other global companies.  

As a University of California, LA graduate, one can expect an average package of nearly 90,000 USD (around 78.5 Lakhs INR), with around 30% of graduates placed in California. UCLA has a strong reputation for preparing candidates for the real world, providing top career opportunities, and producing outstanding graduates excelling in their respective fields of career. 

FAQs About University of California, Los Angeles

1. What GPA do you need to get into UCLA?
A competitive GPA for UCLA is typically above 4.0, especially for the most popular majors.

2. Does UCLA offer financial aid to international students?
Financial aid is limited for international students, but there are some scholarships and funding opportunities available.

3. What are the most popular majors at UCLA?
Some of the most popular majors include Biology, Political Science, Psychology, and Economics.

4. What is the student-to-faculty ratio at UCLA?
UCLA has a student-to-faculty ratio of about 18:1, offering a balance between a large research university and personalized learning.

5. How diverse is the student body at UCLA?
UCLA prides itself on diversity, with students from a wide range of ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds.