
,·Public Research University·Est. 1919
“California's #2 public research university, where bold curiosity meets boundless opportunity in the heart of Los Angeles.”
The University of California, Los Angeles is one of the most celebrated public universities in the world, consistently ranked among the top institutions in the United States and globally. Founded in 1919 as the Southern Branch of the University of California, UCLA opened its iconic Westwood campus in 1929 and has grown into a powerhouse of research, arts, medicine, and technology. The university is home to 12 professional schools and a comprehensive College spanning humanities, social sciences, physical sciences, and life sciences — offering more than 5,000 courses and 141 undergraduate majors. With approximately $1.6 billion in annual research funding and over 6,000 active research projects, UCLA sits at the intersection of discovery and impact. Its Samueli School of Engineering famously hosted the very first node of the internet (ARPANET) in 1969, and its medical center is consistently ranked among the top five hospitals in the nation. The university has produced 16 Nobel laureates among its faculty and is home to some of the most cited researchers in medicine, engineering, social science, and the humanities. Life at UCLA is shaped by the extraordinary diversity of Los Angeles and the scale and energy of one of America's largest research universities. The 419-acre Westwood campus feels like a city within a city: world-class libraries, an internationally recognized performing arts scene with more than 1,000 events per year, 118 NCAA team championships in 20 different sports, 1,200-plus student organizations, and a vibrant campus culture with 60-year-old traditions. Nearly all incoming freshmen choose to live on campus, taking advantage of four years of guaranteed housing on the iconic Hill. Traditions such as the Spring Sing talent showcase, the Beat 'SC Bonfire rivalry celebration, and the Dinner for 12 Strangers cross-generational dinner series reinforce a fiercely proud Bruin identity that extends to more than 670,000 living alumni worldwide. Dining at UCLA has been repeatedly recognized as the best in the nation — Niche.com ranked UCLA #1 for food in 2026. Academically, UCLA is exceptionally strong across a wide range of disciplines. Computer Science, engineering, psychology, clinical psychology, fine arts, medicine, law, and public health all rank among the top institutions nationally. The David Geffen School of Medicine is affiliated with Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, ranked among the nation's top five hospitals. The School of Law has five programs in the national top 10. The Anderson School of Management delivers one of the most sought-after MBA programs on the West Coast, and all three of its MBA programs carry STEM designation — enabling international students to apply for a 24-month OPT extension. For undergraduates, the university's location in Los Angeles — the entertainment, technology, and creative capital of the western United States — translates into unrivaled internship pipelines, industry connections, and career opportunities spanning film, aerospace, biotech, finance, and beyond.
Visa, OPT, H-1B alumni outcomes, and acceptance rates by country — sourced from FOIA, USCIS H-1B Hub, and DHS SEVIS.
National Universities
US News 2026
Top Public Schools
US News 2026
QS World University Rankings
QS 2026
Times Higher Education World Rankings
THE 2025
Academic Ranking of World Universities
ARWU (Shanghai) 2025
Clinical Psychology (Graduate)
US News 2026
Fine Arts (Graduate)
US News 2026
Psychology (Graduate)
US News 2026
Education (Graduate)
US News 2026
Medicine — Primary Care (Graduate)
US News 2026
Part-time MBA (Graduate)
US News 2026
Medicine — Research (Graduate)
US News 2026
English (Graduate)
US News 2026
Mathematics (Graduate)
US News 2026
Law
US News 2026
Test Free — No test scores needed — they won't be reviewed even if submitted.
Official SourceFall Application Filing Period
UC Application filing period is October 1 – December 1. No Early Decision or Early Action.
Admissions Decisions Released
Admission notifications released between March 1–31, 2026.
Statement of Intent to Register (SIR) & Housing Application
Admitted students must submit SIR and housing application by May 1 to secure guaranteed on-campus housing.
This university does not consider SAT or ACT scores in admissions.
The deep admissions playbook beyond the headline acceptance rate — round-by-round breakdowns, nationality data, requirements, and contact paths.
Domestic
$13,436 – $16,706
/yr
Out-of-State / Intl
$43,706 – $55,976
/yr
Beyond the sticker price — every named scholarship, the financial aid policy, need-aware notes, and a personalized net-cost estimate.
How life on campus actually feels — clubs, sports, traditions, housing realities, and how the school integrates with its city.
UCLA's foundational undergraduate college, housing more than 85% of undergraduates across four divisions: Humanities, Social Sciences, Physical Sciences, and Life Sciences.
A top-15 engineering school nationally and birthplace of the internet (ARPANET node 1, 1969). Renowned for research in AI, robotics, bioengineering, and sustainable design.
One of the most prestigious business schools in the western U.S. All three MBA programs carry STEM designation for 24-month OPT extension eligibility.
A research powerhouse affiliated with Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, consistently ranked among the top five hospitals in the nation.
Ranked #2 nationally in graduate fine arts, integrating studio practice, theoretical inquiry, and performance across design, architecture, and world arts.
4 years
One of the most competitive CS programs in the country, delivered by a top-13 nationally ranked department inside a school that helped invent the internet. The 6.8% acceptance rate reflects exceptional selectivity.
4 years
UCLA's #3-ranked graduate psychology department (clinical psychology #1 nationally) elevates the undergraduate experience through unparalleled research access at the Semel Institute and beyond.
1 years
A STEM-designated, intensely quantitative one-year program at UCLA Anderson, preparing graduates for roles in quantitative finance. International graduates eligible for 24-month OPT extension.
Where alumni go after graduation — top industries, grad-school continuation, and the qualitative outcomes story.
Sticker price (annual, out-of-state): $63,669
Net-cost estimate is US-resident-only — international applicants are typically excluded from need-based aid at most schools and should treat the sticker price as the planning baseline.