Los Angeles, California Colleges: Costs & Earnings (2026 stats)
TL;DR
EDsmart Data analysis of 2024 College Scorecard data for Los Angeles, California shows: median public in-state tuition $19,040 (+245.4% vs national median) median 10-year earnings $74,165 (+36.5% vs U.S.) employment-outcome proxy 87.7% working & not enrolled at 8 years median graduate debt $17,436 (+29.8% vs U.S.) 121,181 students enrolled statewide.
Key Facts
- Institutions in this profile: 51 campuses
- Total college enrollment: 121,181 students
- Median public in-state tuition: $19,040 (+245.4% vs U.S.)
- Median earnings 10 years after entry: $74,165 (+36.5% vs U.S.)
- Working & not enrolled (8-yr cohort proxy): 87.7% (-0.3 pp vs U.S.)
- Median net price: $21,911 (+119.8% vs U.S.)
- Median student debt at graduation: $17,436 (+29.8% vs U.S. $13,432); regional median $11,750
- Average completion rate (institutions in state): 71.4%
- Median first-year retention (full-time, 4-yr): 89.2%
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Full profile payload including top-college lists and peer comparisons.
Overview
EDsmart Data summarizes higher-education outcomes for campuses in Los Angeles, California—costs, debt, enrollment, completion, earnings, and standout institutions—against California and U.S. medians from the College Scorecard.
Los Angeles vs California & national benchmarks
Medians aggregate institution-level College Scorecard fields unless noted. Enrollment is total undergraduate headcount summed across reporting campuses.
| Geography | In-state tuition | Net price | Median debt | Completion rate | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, California | $19,040 | $21,911 | $17,436 | 71.4% | 121,181 |
| California (state median) | $1,350 | $8,343 | $11,400 | 58.5% | 2,158,168 |
| United States | $5,512 | $9,967 | $13,432 | 50.3% | 14,484,370 |
Earnings & employment outcomes: Los Angeles, California vs benchmarks
Scorecard does not publish formal job-placement rates. We use the share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled (working ÷ working + not working) as a federal employment-outcome proxy. 2-yr and 3-yr default rates are federal cohort default shares (0–1 scale). We show 2-yr default as the primary benchmark; 3-yr default appears only when enough campuses report non-suppressed values (otherwise —). 3-yr repayment progress is the share of completers making progress on loans after 3 years. Sample: bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200. Medians pool campus-level values.
| Geography | Median earnings (10 yr) | Working & not enrolled (8 yr) | Retention (FT yr 1) | 2-yr default | 3-yr default | 3-yr repayment progress | Debt ÷ earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, California | $74,165 | 87.7% | 89.2% | 4.5% | — | 75.4% | 0.25 |
| California (state median) | $65,986 | 90.1% | 84.0% | 3.9% | — | 74.5% | 0.28 |
| United States | $54,323 | 87.9% | 76.3% | 5.0% | — | 73.7% | 0.41 |
Other cities in California (3+ campuses)
Other cities in the same state with at least three reporting campuses.
| City | In-state tuition | Net price | Median debt | Completion | Enrollment | Earnings (10 yr) | Working (8 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, California | $19,040 | $21,911 | $17,436 | 71.4% | 121,181 | $74,165 | 87.7% |
| San Diego | $12,442 | $24,300 | $15,000 | 61.9% | 115,966 | $64,909 | 87.8% |
| Sacramento | $1,288 | $20,520 | $10,600 | 50.8% | 94,048 | $64,876 | 91.3% |
| Long Beach | $4,453 | $14,158 | $11,812 | 68.9% | 60,761 | $64,403 | 91.1% |
| Fullerton | $5,420 | $6,555 | $13,750 | 70.2% | 56,299 | $56,324 | 89.2% |
| Fresno | $7,350 | $20,190 | $10,674 | 53.5% | 54,532 | $60,070 | 91.2% |
| Riverside | $15,606 | $21,765 | $11,884 | 60.8% | 53,903 | $61,824 | 90.9% |
| Pasadena | $31,530 | $25,065 | $13,194 | 37.4% | 49,021 | $62,222 | 84.6% |
| Pasadena | $31,530 | $25,065 | $13,194 | 37.4% | 49,021 | $62,222 | 84.6% |
| United States | $5,512 | $9,967 | $13,432 | 50.3% | 14,484,370 | $54,323 | 87.9% |
Outcomes by sector in Los Angeles, California
Median campus-level metrics within each ownership type (public, private nonprofit, private for-profit).
| Sector | Campuses | Median earnings (10 yr) | Working share (8 yr) | Retention | 2-yr default | 3-yr default | 3-yr repayment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private nonprofit | 9 | $74,165 | 87.3% | 89.2% | 4.5% | — | 75.4% |
Top 10 colleges in Los Angeles, California by graduation rate (150% time)
Ranked by 150% time completion rate (4-year bachelor's-predominant institutions, enrollment ≥ 500). Higher rate = more students finishing within 150% of normal time.
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Rank 1, Graduation Rate, 92.6%, University of California-Los Angeles
University of California-Los Angeles
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Rank 2, Graduation Rate, 91.8%, University of Southern California
University of Southern California
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Rank 3, Graduation Rate, 80.9%, Occidental College
Occidental College
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Rank 4, Graduation Rate, 78.9%, Loyola Marymount University
Loyola Marymount University
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Rank 5, Graduation Rate, 66.3%, Otis College of Art and Design
Otis College of Art and Design
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Rank 6, Graduation Rate, 53.2%, Mount Saint Mary's University
Mount Saint Mary's University
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Rank 7, Graduation Rate, 53.0%, California State University-Los Angeles
California State University-Los Angeles
Top 10 colleges in Los Angeles, California by employment outcome (8 yrs after entry, working & not enrolled)
Ranked by share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled — a federal outcome proxy, not a verified job-placement rate. Enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, Employment Outcome, 92.1%, Mount Saint Mary's University
Mount Saint Mary's University
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Rank 2, Employment Outcome, 91.2%, Loyola Marymount University
Loyola Marymount University
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Rank 3, Employment Outcome, 91.2%, California State University-Los Angeles
California State University-Los Angeles
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Rank 4, Employment Outcome, 88.7%, University of California-Los Angeles
University of California-Los Angeles
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Rank 5, Employment Outcome, 87.7%, University of Southern California
University of Southern California
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Rank 6, Employment Outcome, 82.7%, Occidental College
Occidental College
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Rank 7, Employment Outcome, 80.2%, Otis College of Art and Design
Otis College of Art and Design
Top 10 most selective colleges in Los Angeles, California (lowest admission rate)
Ranked by lowest admission rate (most selective first). Bachelor's-predominant four-year institutions with enrollment ≥ 500 and a reported admission rate.
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Rank 1, Admission Rate, 9.0%, University of California-Los Angeles
University of California-Los Angeles
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Rank 2, Admission Rate, 9.8%, University of Southern California
University of Southern California
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Rank 3, Admission Rate, 44.2%, Occidental College
Occidental College
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Rank 4, Admission Rate, 45.1%, Loyola Marymount University
Loyola Marymount University
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Rank 5, Admission Rate, 73.1%, Mount Saint Mary's University
Mount Saint Mary's University
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Rank 6, Admission Rate, 81.8%, Otis College of Art and Design
Otis College of Art and Design
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Rank 7, Admission Rate, 91.2%, California State University-Los Angeles
California State University-Los Angeles
Top 10 colleges in Los Angeles, California by entry-level earnings (1 yr post-completion, program)
Ranked by median program-level earnings one year after completion (highest first). Enrollment ≥ 300; reflects completers in reported CIP programs, not all entrants.
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Rank 1, Entry-Level Earnings, $137,284, University of Southern California
University of Southern California
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Rank 2, Entry-Level Earnings, $136,099, University of California-Los Angeles
University of California-Los Angeles
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Rank 3, Entry-Level Earnings, $99,457, Mount Saint Mary's University
Mount Saint Mary's University
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Rank 4, Entry-Level Earnings, $98,811, California State University-Los Angeles
California State University-Los Angeles
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Rank 5, Entry-Level Earnings, $87,790, Loyola Marymount University
Loyola Marymount University
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Rank 6, Entry-Level Earnings, $64,885, Occidental College
Occidental College
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Rank 7, Entry-Level Earnings, $39,596, The Chicago School at Los Angeles
The Chicago School at Los Angeles
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Rank 8, Entry-Level Earnings, $31,172, Otis College of Art and Design
Otis College of Art and Design
Top 10 colleges in Los Angeles, California by early-career earnings (4 yr post-completion, program)
Ranked by median program-level earnings four years after completion (highest first). Enrollment ≥ 300; program cohort, not institution-wide median.
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Rank 1, Early-Career Earnings, $228,705, University of California-Los Angeles
University of California-Los Angeles
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Rank 2, Early-Career Earnings, $192,897, University of Southern California
University of Southern California
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Rank 3, Early-Career Earnings, $127,011, Loyola Marymount University
Loyola Marymount University
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Rank 4, Early-Career Earnings, $119,050, Mount Saint Mary's University
Mount Saint Mary's University
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Rank 5, Early-Career Earnings, $116,182, California State University-Los Angeles
California State University-Los Angeles
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Rank 6, Early-Career Earnings, $103,164, Occidental College
Occidental College
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Rank 7, Early-Career Earnings, $55,891, Otis College of Art and Design
Otis College of Art and Design
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Rank 8, Early-Career Earnings, $53,952, The Chicago School at Los Angeles
The Chicago School at Los Angeles
Top 10 colleges in Los Angeles, California by mid-career earnings (6 yrs after entry)
Ranked by median earnings six years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, Mid-Career Earnings, $74,461, University of Southern California
University of Southern California
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Rank 2, Mid-Career Earnings, $62,763, Loyola Marymount University
Loyola Marymount University
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Rank 3, Mid-Career Earnings, $61,335, Mount Saint Mary's University
Mount Saint Mary's University
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Rank 4, Mid-Career Earnings, $59,063, University of California-Los Angeles
University of California-Los Angeles
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Rank 5, Mid-Career Earnings, $52,209, Occidental College
Occidental College
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Rank 6, Mid-Career Earnings, $45,702, California State University-Los Angeles
California State University-Los Angeles
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Rank 7, Mid-Career Earnings, $43,654, Otis College of Art and Design
Otis College of Art and Design
Top 10 colleges in Los Angeles, California by 8-year earnings (8 yrs after entry)
Ranked by median earnings eight years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, 8-Yr Earnings, $87,601, University of Southern California
University of Southern California
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Rank 2, 8-Yr Earnings, $72,864, University of California-Los Angeles
University of California-Los Angeles
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Rank 3, 8-Yr Earnings, $70,573, Loyola Marymount University
Loyola Marymount University
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Rank 4, 8-Yr Earnings, $67,516, Mount Saint Mary's University
Mount Saint Mary's University
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Rank 5, 8-Yr Earnings, $64,002, Occidental College
Occidental College
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Rank 6, 8-Yr Earnings, $57,367, Otis College of Art and Design
Otis College of Art and Design
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Rank 7, 8-Yr Earnings, $51,588, California State University-Los Angeles
California State University-Los Angeles
Top 10 colleges in Los Angeles, California by long-term earnings (10 yrs after entry)
Ranked by median earnings ten years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, 10-Yr Earnings, $92,498, University of Southern California
University of Southern California
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Rank 2, 10-Yr Earnings, $82,511, University of California-Los Angeles
University of California-Los Angeles
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Rank 3, 10-Yr Earnings, $78,349, Loyola Marymount University
Loyola Marymount University
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Rank 4, 10-Yr Earnings, $75,951, Occidental College
Occidental College
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Rank 5, 10-Yr Earnings, $72,379, Mount Saint Mary's University
Mount Saint Mary's University
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Rank 6, 10-Yr Earnings, $59,211, California State University-Los Angeles
California State University-Los Angeles
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Rank 7, 10-Yr Earnings, $58,152, Otis College of Art and Design
Otis College of Art and Design
Top 10 colleges in Los Angeles, California by 10-year ROI
Ranked by 10-year return on investment (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200 and a computed ROI in the EDsmart dataset.
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Rank 1, 10-Yr ROI, $288,024, University of California-Los Angeles
University of California-Los Angeles
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Rank 2, 10-Yr ROI, $266,006, University of Southern California
University of Southern California
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Rank 3, 10-Yr ROI, $239,980, California State University-Los Angeles
California State University-Los Angeles
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Rank 4, 10-Yr ROI, $226,476, Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science
Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science
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Rank 5, 10-Yr ROI, $210,558, Mount Saint Mary's University
Mount Saint Mary's University
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Rank 6, 10-Yr ROI, $140,618, Southern California Institute of Architecture
Southern California Institute of Architecture
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Rank 7, 10-Yr ROI, $124,199, Loyola Marymount University
Loyola Marymount University
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Rank 8, 10-Yr ROI, $123,599, Occidental College
Occidental College
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Rank 9, 10-Yr ROI, $38,123, Otis College of Art and Design
Otis College of Art and Design
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Rank 10, 10-Yr ROI, $150, World Mission University
World Mission University
Top 10 most affordable colleges in Los Angeles, California (net price)
Ranked by lowest average net price (most affordable first). Uses overall net price, or mid-income bracket net price for public schools when available. Enrollment ≥ 300.
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Rank 1, Net Price, $3,967, California State University-Los Angeles
California State University-Los Angeles
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Rank 2, Net Price, $12,548, University of California-Los Angeles
University of California-Los Angeles
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Rank 3, Net Price, $21,413, Mount Saint Mary's University
Mount Saint Mary's University
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Rank 4, Net Price, $32,740, University of Southern California
University of Southern California
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Rank 5, Net Price, $38,263, Occidental College
Occidental College
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Rank 6, Net Price, $48,381, Loyola Marymount University
Loyola Marymount University
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Rank 7, Net Price, $51,248, Otis College of Art and Design
Otis College of Art and Design
Top 10 colleges in Los Angeles, California by first-year retention (full-time)
Ranked by first-year, full-time retention rate (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant four-year institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, First-Year Retention, 97.3%, University of California-Los Angeles
University of California-Los Angeles
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Rank 2, First-Year Retention, 95.9%, University of Southern California
University of Southern California
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Rank 3, First-Year Retention, 89.8%, Occidental College
Occidental College
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Rank 4, First-Year Retention, 88.6%, Loyola Marymount University
Loyola Marymount University
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Rank 5, First-Year Retention, 74.5%, Otis College of Art and Design
Otis College of Art and Design
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Rank 6, First-Year Retention, 71.9%, California State University-Los Angeles
California State University-Los Angeles
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Rank 7, First-Year Retention, 71.1%, Mount Saint Mary's University
Mount Saint Mary's University
In-state tuition: Los Angeles, California vs benchmarks
Sticker price
Los Angeles, California median in-state tuition is $19,040, +245.4% vs the U.S. median.
Student debt: Los Angeles, California vs benchmarks
Borrowing
Median debt at graduation in Los Angeles, California is $17,436 (+29.8% vs U.S. median $13,432). Regional median: $11,750.
Median earnings (10 years out): Los Angeles, California vs benchmarks
Payoff
Median earnings 10 years after entry for bachelor's-predominant campuses in Los Angeles, California center around $74,165 (+36.5% vs U.S.).
Median institution-level 10-year earnings. Source: College Scorecard.
Employment outcome proxy: Los Angeles, California vs benchmarks
Working & not enrolled
The share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled—our Scorecard employment proxy—is 87.7% at the median Los Angeles, California campus (-0.3 pp vs U.S.).
Percent of 8-year cohort working and not enrolled (not a formal placement rate).
Analysis & insights
EDsmart Data aggregates institution-level College Scorecard data for this profile. Highlights below compare local medians to U.S. and regional benchmarks.
Costs & borrowing
Los Angeles, California median public in-state tuition is $19,040, about +245.4% vs the national median. Versus the Far West region, tuition is +479.8%.
Median graduate debt is $17,436 (+29.8% above the U.S. median of $13,432). Low sticker prices do not always mean low borrowing—living costs, time-to-degree, and aid mix matter.
Earnings, employment & retention
Among bachelor's-predominant campuses with ≥200 students, median 10-year earnings in Los Angeles, California are $74,165, about +36.5% vs the U.S. campus median ($54,323).
The median campus reports 87.7% of its 8-year cohort as working and not enrolled—our closest federal proxy to a placement rate. The U.S. campus median is 87.9% (-0.3 pp). Formal job-placement statistics are not published in Scorecard; treat this as a comparative outcome indicator, not a hire guarantee.
First-year, full-time retention at the median campus is 89.2% vs a U.S. median of 76.3%—a leading indicator for completion and time-to-degree.
Loan repayment indicators at the median campus: 2-yr default 4.5% (U.S. 5.0%); 3-yr repayment progress 75.4% (U.S. 73.7%). 3-yr default is omitted when most campuses report suppressed zeros.
Top employment-outcome campuses in this extract include Mount Saint Mary's University (92.1%), Loyola Marymount University (91.2%), California State University-Los Angeles (91.2%), University of California-Los Angeles (88.7%), University of Southern California (87.7%), Occidental College (82.7%), Otis College of Art and Design (80.2%)—useful anchors for local reporting on where graduates are most often working rather than still enrolled.
Completion & workforce context
Within Los Angeles, California, sector medians diverge: Private nonprofit median 10-yr earnings $74,165 (9 campuses). Public campuses often dominate enrollment while private nonprofits can show higher earnings medians at selective institutions.
Average institution-level completion rate across all sectors in Los Angeles, California is 71.4% (national institution average about 50.3%).
FAQ
How many colleges are in Los Angeles?
EDsmart Data analysis: this city profile covers 51 campuses in Los Angeles, California with College Scorecard cost or outcomes data.
How much does college cost in Los Angeles?
EDsmart Data analysis: median in-state tuition in Los Angeles is $19,040 and median net price is $21,911. For California overall, medians are $1,350 and $8,343; U.S. medians are $5,512 and $9,967.
What do graduates earn in Los Angeles?
EDsmart Data analysis: median 10-year earnings for campuses in Los Angeles is $74,165 vs $65,986 for California and $54,323 nationally.
What is student debt like for Los Angeles colleges?
EDsmart Data analysis: median completer debt in Los Angeles is $17,436 vs $11,400 for California and $13,432 nationally.
What are the best colleges in Los Angeles?
EDsmart Data analysis: top campuses on this page include University of California-Los Angeles (graduation) and University of Southern California (10-yr earnings). See Top 10 lists for admission, affordability, and employment metrics.
Are there HBCUs, Hispanic-serving, tribal, or religious colleges in Los Angeles?
EDsmart Data analysis: among 51 campuses in Los Angeles, California, 18 campuses with at least 25% Hispanic enrollment in College Scorecard demographics—a common Hispanic-serving institution (HSI) eligibility proxy; examples include American Career College-Los Angeles, California State University-Los Angeles, and Los Angeles Southwest College; 6 religiously affiliated private nonprofit campuses (IPEDS RELAFFIL); most common affiliations: Jewish (2), Roman Catholic (2), United Methodist (1).
Sources & related
- California college profile
- All college profiles
- National benchmarks
- U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard
- Download: JSON