How many students drop out of UCLA?

UCLA has a very low dropout rate, with a 6-year graduation rate around 92-93% and a 4-year rate of about 81-86%, indicating most students complete their degrees, with only about 7% not finishing within eight years, often transferring out. Strong first-year retention (around 97%) also shows students persist into their second year, reflecting robust support systems for its competitive environment, as shown on the UCLA Academic Planning and Budget website.

What is the dropout rate for UCLA?

UCLA Retention Rate

With 96% students making it past their freshmen year, UCLA has freshmen retention rates above the national average. Nationwide, the average first to second year retention rate is 70.57%. When looking at just colleges and universities in California, the average is 73.07%.

Is UCLA not #1 anymore?

Yes, UCLA is no longer the #1 public university, losing the top spot to UC Berkeley in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report rankings, dropping to #2 public and #17 overall, ending an eight-year reign as the top public school. The shift occurred in rankings released in September 2025, with UC Berkeley taking the #1 public university spot, while UCLA remains a highly-ranked institution.
 

What 4 year university has the lowest graduation rate?

Western International University in Phoenix, AZ, is frequently cited as having one of the lowest 4-year graduation rates, reported at around 2% within six years, often linked to its online, non-traditional student focus and challenges with retention. However, for-profit schools generally have much lower average graduation rates (under 36%) than non-profits or public universities, and low rates can also stem from very rigorous programs (like Georgia Tech) or student life factors, not just institutional failure. 

What percent of UCLA students graduate?

The school's in-state tuition and fees are $14,824; out-of-state tuition and fees are $48,674. Forty-six percent of first-year students receive need-based financial aid, and the average net price for federal loan recipients is $15,637. The four-year graduation rate is 85%.

I am dropping out of UCLA.

Is UCLA harder than Harvard?

It's generally harder to get into Harvard due to its much lower acceptance rate (around 3-4%) compared to UCLA (around 9%), but UCLA can be harder for applicants with less-than-perfect grades because of its strong emphasis on straight A's for admitted students, sometimes requiring near-perfect GPAs even for public school standards. Ultimately, both are incredibly selective, with Harvard being tougher overall for admissions but UCLA being uniquely difficult if you lack perfect high school grades, while Harvard offers a different academic intensity and resources.
 

Why isn't Gen Z going to college?

Gen Z is questioning college due to sky-high costs, massive student debt, and a shaky job market where degrees don't guarantee success, leading many to explore lucrative alternatives like trade schools, entrepreneurship, or acquiring digital skills, valuing direct career entry and financial independence over traditional four-year paths. They see past generations struggling with loans and uncertain job prospects, shifting focus to better Return on Investment (ROI), with many regretting college or seeking more practical, cheaper education. 

What is the #1 college in California?

There isn't one single "number one" college in California, as rankings vary by source, but Stanford University, the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), the University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley), and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) consistently appear at the top, often depending on whether you're looking for private or public institutions. Stanford and Caltech often lead private rankings, while UC Berkeley and UCLA are top public university contenders, with Cal Poly San Luis Obispo also highly rated in regional categories. 

What university degree has the highest dropout rate?

Adapting to the academic demands of a university course can be overwhelming for some students, leading them to feel out of their depth. Courses like Computer Science and Medicine are known for their rigorous curriculum, which can contribute to a higher dropout rate among students.

What is the lowest ranked university in the USA?

There's no single "worst" university, as it depends on criteria like graduation rates, student debt, job placement, or free speech policies, but schools frequently cited for low performance or poor value include Florida Memorial University, Shaw University, University of the District of Columbia, and some large for-profit institutions like DeVry or University of Phoenix (due to past legal issues). Many rankings focus on poor return on investment (ROI) or low graduation/high debt rates, with names like Wayland Baptist, Lincoln University, and Lindsey Wilson College appearing on various lists.
 

Is UCLA as good as an ivy?

Yes, UCLA is widely considered a "Public Ivy," comparable to many Ivy League schools in academics, prestige, and outcomes, offering a world-class education though differing in size, structure (public vs. private), and culture, often with lower costs, especially for CA residents, making it a top-tier choice. While some Ivies might edge it out in certain niche areas or overall rankings, UCLA rivals top Ivies in research, global reputation, and producing successful graduates, especially in tech and entertainment-rich California. 

Is Berkeley or UCLA harder to get into?

Generally, UCLA has a lower acceptance rate and is considered slightly harder to get into than UC Berkeley, often due with receiving significantly more applications, but both are extremely selective, and the difficulty can heavily depend on your intended major and individual profile, with some high-demand Berkeley programs rivaling UCLA's selectivity. Recent statistics show UCLA's acceptance rate hovering around 9-11%, while Berkeley's is often slightly higher, around 11-13%. 

What is the hardest program to get into at UCLA?

The hardest programs to get into at UCLA consistently include Nursing, Computer Science (within Engineering), Aerospace Engineering, and Film and Television, often having single-digit acceptance rates due to extremely high applicant numbers and limited spots, with Nursing frequently cited as the most difficult overall. 

Is UCLA a stressful school?

Some students feel that UCLA's large size can make it difficult to get personalized attention, and navigating class enrollment and administrative processes can be stressful. There are concerns about class sizes, accessibility of professors, and competition among peers.

What program has the highest dropout rate?

In 2025, the situation remains critical, with Computer Science majors experiencing a dropout rate of 10.7%, the highest among all college majors.

What is the easiest major to get into UCLA first year?

The easiest majors and where students have the best odds at acceptance based on admit rates at UCLA include Ethnomusicology, Musicology, World Arts and Cultures, Music Performance, and Global Jazz.

What is the most regretted major?

Journalism is considered one of the most regretted majors by college alum across the United States, according to CNBC. As of 2022, it is the top most regretted major, and about 87% of journalism graduates would have studied something different if they could.

What majors are declining?

History As a percentage of all bachelor's degrees, history has fallen to some of its lowest points since the 1980s. Foreign Languages and Literatures This field has also seen a considerable drop in the number of degrees awarded since the 1970s and 1980s.

Which US college has the lowest graduation rate?

Top 10 Lowest Graduation Rate Colleges in the US

• Western International University.
• Oklahoma State University, Oklahoma City.
• University of Cincinnati, Blue Ash College.
• National American University, Rapid City. ...
• Georgia Highlands College.
• College of Southern Nevada.
• Sitting Bull College.
• Harris Stowe State University.

Is USC or UCLA better?

Neither UCLA nor USC is objectively "better"; they are both prestigious L.A. universities with different strengths, with UCLA often favored for public university academics, diverse campus life, and lower cost, while USC excels in private-school networking, specific professional programs (like Film & Business), and a stronger Greek/party scene. The best choice depends on individual priorities, like program fit, campus culture, cost, and career goals. 

Which is the hardest UC to get into?

The hardest University of California (UC) to get into is consistently UCLA, often followed closely by UC Berkeley, due to extremely low acceptance rates (around 9-11% for UCLA and 11-13% for Berkeley in recent years) and high academic requirements, making them the most selective campuses in the system, especially for competitive majors like Computer Science and Nursing.
 

Where do the 1% go to college?

The 1% of families disproportionately attend highly selective, elite universities like Dartmouth College, Yale University, University of Pennsylvania, Brown University, Duke University, Stanford University, and Princeton University, with studies showing over 20% of students at some of these schools come from the top 1% of the income ladder, often more than from the entire bottom 60% combined. Other affluent institutions like Washington University in St. Louis, Vanderbilt University, Georgetown University, and Bowdoin College also have significant representation from the wealthiest families.
 

What do Gen Z use instead of 😂?

Gen Z uses the 💀 (Skull) emoji to mean "I'm dead" from laughter, the 😭 (Loudly Crying Face) for intense humor or emotion, and sometimes the 🤡 (Clown Face) for foolishness, while finding the 😂 emoji outdated or "cheugy," often preferring these more dramatic or layered expressions of extreme amusement. 

Where do top 1% send kids to college?

The "top 1%" of students, often defined by family income, tend to go to highly selective, elite universities like Dartmouth, Yale, Penn, Brown, Princeton, and Stanford, MIT, and Harvard, with some Ivy League schools having a higher concentration of these students than the bottom 60% of income earners. Rankings vary, but MIT, Princeton, Harvard, Stanford, and UC Berkeley consistently appear at the top for overall academic standing, attracting top talent across all income levels. 

Did Taylor Swift go to college?

No, Taylor Swift did not go to a traditional four-year college; she focused on her music career after starting high school, completing her education through homeschooling to accommodate her touring schedule, and she graduated high school early. She did receive an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree from New York University (NYU) in 2022, where she also gave a commencement speech.