Explore alternatives based on outcomes, location, cost, and admission difficulty
Given UCLA's 8.7% acceptance rate, most applicants—including highly qualified ones—face significant admission uncertainty. The alternatives below provide pathways to similar outcomes with more accessible admission or different cost structures.
These schools offer higher acceptance rates while delivering comparable career outcomes.
For comparable outcomes with higher acceptance rates, consider University of California-Irvine (25.6% acceptance, $80,735 median earnings) located 45 miles south. UC-Irvine offers similar program diversity and outcomes within the UC system. Scripps College admits 33.9% of applicants while producing graduates earning $77,539, though at higher net costs. Occidental College (39.9% acceptance, $75,951 earnings) provides liberal arts education 14 miles from UCLA with substantially better admission odds.
Strong options in the same region with comparable academic profiles.
California residents should consider UC-Irvine (25.6% acceptance, $80,735 earnings) for nearly identical outcomes with better admission prospects. UC-Santa Barbara (27.8% acceptance, $74,915 earnings) offers strong outcomes 84 miles north with similar costs and campus culture. Pomona College maintains UCLA's selectivity level (6.8% acceptance) but delivers comparable outcomes for students committed to highly competitive admission processes.
Elite universities with similar prestige and academic caliber
