What is UCLA's dropout rate?

UCLA has a very low dropout rate, with high graduation success, reflecting strong retention, with about 86-90% of undergraduates completing degrees within six years, while the actual "drop out" number (not transferring) is very small, around 2-4% of non-completers, with most students either graduating or transferring to other schools. For recent cohorts, UCLA's 6-year graduation rate is near 90%, with transfers making up a large portion of those who don't finish at UCLA, but still earn degrees elsewhere.

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.
 

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.
 

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%.

The College Dropout Scandal

Is UCLA the hardest UC to get into?

Yes, UCLA is consistently among the hardest, if not the single hardest, UC to get into, often competing with UC Berkeley for the lowest acceptance rates, though recent data shows UCLA as slightly more competitive with its plummeting rate and status as the nation's most applied-to university, requiring exceptional academic strength, especially for popular majors like Nursing or Film. 

Why isn't Gen Z going to college?

Gen Z is questioning college due to skyrocketing costs, overwhelming student debt, and a perceived poor return on investment (ROI), especially with AI changing jobs and stronger alternatives like skilled trades emerging, leading many to seek faster, cheaper paths to financial stability and job security. They've seen Millennials' debt struggles, witness online success stories, and value hands-on training over traditional degrees, making college less of a guaranteed ticket to success.
 

Where do the 1% go to college?

The 1% of the wealthiest Americans disproportionately attend highly selective, elite universities, particularly Ivy League schools (Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Dartmouth, Brown, Penn, Columbia) and other top institutions like MIT, Stanford, Duke, and UChicago, where they make up a large percentage of the student body, often outnumbering students from the bottom 60% of income earners combined. Liberal arts colleges and prestigious public universities also attract many wealthy students, with specific examples including WashU St. Louis, UVA, UCLA, UC Berkeley, Vanderbilt, and Johns Hopkins.
 

Is UCLA a public ivy?

Located in the heart of Los Angeles, UCLA's 419 acre campus is sun drenched. With strong athletics, academics, and more than 1,000 extracurriculars, UCLA offers opportunities to all students. Considered one of the “public ivies,” UCLA is consistently ranked as one of the best public colleges in the nation.

Can a 2.5 GPA go to Harvard?

While it's technically possible to get into Harvard with a 2.5 GPA due to their holistic review, it's extremely improbable and requires truly exceptional, world-class achievements in other areas (like being a top recruited athlete, a Nobel laureate's child, or having massive family donations) to overcome such a low academic record. The average admitted student has a GPA near perfect (4.0+), and a 2.5 signals significant academic risk that most candidates can't compensate for, even with high test scores. 

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. 

What is the #1 university in the world?

There's no single "No. 1" university as rankings vary by methodology, but the University of Oxford (THE 2026) and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) (QS 2026) are often at the very top, with Harvard University also consistently #1 (U.S. News). Other top contenders frequently appearing include the University of Cambridge, Stanford University, and the University of California, Berkeley. 

Is UCLA in the Big 10 now?

UCLA, along with previous conference foes Oregon, USC and Washington, have moved to an 18-team Big Ten Conference with a footprint spanning from the Pacific to the Atlantic. UCLA's approaching membership in the Big Ten Conference was initially announced more than two years ago, on June 30, 2022.

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.

Which major has the highest dropout?

Computer science majors have the highest dropout rate at 10.7%.

Will UCLA accept a 2.7 GPA?

Realistically, getting into UCLA with a 2.7 GPA as a freshman is highly unlikely, as California residents need at least a 3.0 and non-residents a 3.4 minimum GPA in college-prep courses, with most admitted freshmen having much higher GPAs (around 3.9-4.0 unweighted). While UCLA uses holistic review, a 2.7 is significantly below competitive levels, requiring truly extraordinary achievements in your Personal Insight Questions (PIQs) and extracurriculars to stand out, or a strong upward trend in grades. Your best path is often to boost your GPA significantly or consider starting at a California Community College and transferring. 

What are the 63 hidden Ivies?

The 63 Hidden Ivies are a list of highly selective, prestigious liberal arts colleges and universities outside the traditional Ivy League, identified by educational consultants Howard and Matthew Greene for offering an Ivy-level education with strong academics, resources, and reputation, including schools like Amherst, Williams, Swarthmore, Pomona, Duke, University of Chicago, and Johns Hopkins. They are grouped by region (Northeast, South, Midwest, West) and chosen for their exceptional resources, faculty, and vibrant campus life, making them excellent alternatives to the Ivies. 

What is the #1 private school in LA?

There's no single "number 1" private school in Los Angeles, as rankings vary by criteria, but Harvard-Westlake School consistently appears at the top for overall academic rigor, arts, athletics, and college placement, often followed by schools like Polytechnic School, Marlborough School, Brentwood School, and Flintridge Preparatory School, all highly regarded for elite college prep.
 

Which is harder, UCLA or Harvard?

Is Harvard University or UCLA Harder to get into? Which school is easier to get into? If you're looking at acceptance rate alone, then Harvard University is more difficult to get into. However, each college is looking to fill its incoming class with a variety of students with different strengths, backgrounds, etc.

Which college is in rank 1 in Canada?

The University of Toronto remains the highest-ranked Canadian institution, consistently recognised for its research impact and academic excellence.

What university split into 13?

Their proposal was adopted on 12 November 1968; in accordance with the new law, the faculties of the University of Paris were to reorganize themselves. This led to the division of the University of Paris into 13 universities.

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. 

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.
 

What is the #1 hardest school to get into?

There isn't one single #1 hardest school, as it changes slightly by year and criteria, but Harvard University, Stanford University, MIT, and Caltech consistently rank among the top with extremely low acceptance rates (often 3-4%) and intense competition for spots, though other top global universities like Oxford and Tsinghua are also incredibly selective. Harvard is frequently cited as the hardest due to its high volume of applications and focus on global leadership potential, while Caltech is known for its extreme difficulty in STEM.