We welcome students from all over the country to apply to UC.
In addition to our commitment to California students, we believe that out-of-state students bring a diversity of backgrounds that add an important dimension to the educational experience and campus community.
Admission requirements
UC sets slightly different criteria for applicants who are not California residents. If you’re an out-of-state applicant, you must meet the same admission requirements as a California-resident student, but with one important difference:
- You must earn a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.4 or better in the 15 college-preparatory courses (A-G courses), with no grade lower than a C.
Some other distinctions that you should keep in mind as an out-of-state applicant:
- There is no pre-approved course list for schools outside of California. Referring to the A-G course list site (a database of UC-certified course lists in California schools) and the 15 college-preparatory course categories can provide guidance on the types of courses that have been UC-approved.
- Honors courses are calculated differently.In calculating an out-of-state student's GPA to determine if the 3.4 minimum has been met, UC will grant honors weight for AP or IB courses only, but not for school-designated honors courses. The weight is given to letter grades of A, B, or C. School-designated honors courses may be considered in the campus comprehensive review process.
- Letters of recommendation are not required. Please do not submit them as part of your application. However, some campuses/majors may request letters of recommendation as part of a supplemental application review.
- We require you to self-report your grades when filling out your application. UC does not require official transcripts to be sent with the application; however, you must refer to your transcript to ensure the information you enter is accurate. Send in a final, official transcript by July 1 if you are admitted.
- As a public institution, we prioritize admission for California residents. However, all of our campuses offer admission to out-of-state students.
Residency
For admission purposes, we ask questions about residency on the application. We use this information to make an initial determination of whether or not a student is a California resident or a nonresident student to assess admission requirements.
Please keep in mind that this process is different than determining residency for the purposes of fees and tuition. Residency for fee and tuition purposes is determined by the campus’ Office of the Registrar after admission, based on documentation provided in the admission application and/or additional documentation requested after admission.
FAQs
If you're an out-of-state applicant, you must meet the same admission requirements as a California-resident student, but with one important difference: You must earn a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.4 or better in the 15 college-preparatory courses (A-G courses), with no grade lower than a C.
Is it easier for an out of state applicant to get into a state college? ›
While flagship state universities often heavily favor in-state applicants (with acceptance rate differences as high as 30%), the cost difference can be staggering - we're talking up to $33,000 more per year for out-of-state students! But don't cross out-of-state schools off your list just yet.
Is it harder to get into college as an out of state student? ›
Many public state schools accept a higher percentage of in-state students than out-of-state students. As a result, students who apply from out of state are held to higher, more competitive standards than students who apply from within the state.
What makes you an out of state student? ›
Students who live in a state pay the in-state level of tuition at a state school. If a student from another state wants to attend that same school, he or she pays more tuition — the out-of-state rate.
Is UCLA hard to get into out of state? ›
UCLA In-State vs.
The acceptance rates were as follows: California residents: 9.4% Out-of-state applicants: 8.6% International applicants: 6%
Do state schools prefer out-of-state students? ›
It's almost always easier to get into a state school if you are applying in-state versus out-of-state. Although all colleges whether they are public or private want as much tuition, room, and board revenue as possible it's a balancing act between 1.)
Does it make sense to go out of state for college? ›
When Does It Make Sense to Go Out of State? Attending an out-of-state college or university makes the most sense for students seeking specialized programs that in-state schools may not offer. Similarly, graduate students may also prefer an out-of-state program with a strong reputation in a particular subject area.
What are the cons of going to a out of state college? ›
One of the biggest drawbacks of out-of-state universities is the higher tuition costs. Out-of-state tuition costs are often significantly higher than in-state costs and often don't include books and boarding.
Does where you live affect college admissions? ›
Public colleges, in most states, are required to favor in-state applicants as their tuition is supported by tax revenue. Therefore, it's often much more difficult for out-of-state students to gain acceptance, and when they do, they pay a much higher tuition.
What state has the easiest colleges to get into? ›
Easiest Colleges to Get Into in the US Based on Acceptance Rate
- Arkansas Baptist College (AR) - Acceptance rate: 100%
- Kentucky State University (KY) - Acceptance rate: 100%
- Haskell Indian Nations University (KS) - Acceptance rate: 100%
- University of the District of Columbia (DC) - Acceptance rate: 96%
Tips to get in-state tuition at an out-of-state school
- Establish residency. Yes, the obvious way to get in-state tuition is to live in the same state of the school you plan to attend. ...
- Explore regional exchange programs with nearby states. ...
- Look into scholarships. ...
- Take advantage of your parent's job.
Is it worth paying out of state tuition? ›
Is it worth going out of state for college? Attending a school outside of your state of residency is more expensive, but the tradeoff depends on your personal and career goals. If you find scholarships or qualify for lower tuition rates, you can reduce some of your out-of-state costs.
How to make out of state tuition cheaper? ›
It's also not convenient option for those with multiple children who plan to attend college.
- How to Pay for Out of State Tuition? ...
- Locate Regional Reciprocal Agreements. ...
- Find State Tuition Exchange Programs. ...
- Earn Merit Scholarships. ...
- Serve in the Military.
Does UC Berkeley accept out-of-state students? ›
Can out-of-state students get into UC Berkeley? Yes, there is a strong preference for in-state students, but out-of-state students are welcome to apply and are accepted at UC Berkeley. The acceptance rate for out-of-state students is around 8.6%.
What is the easiest UC to get into? ›
Easiest UC Schools to Get Into
Even if UCLA and Berkeley are reaches, there's still hope of attending a UC school. The easiest UC schools to get into include UC Santa Cruz, UC Riverside, and UC Merced, all of which have acceptance rates over 50%.
Can a 3.7 GPA get you into UCLA? ›
The average GPA of admitted students tends to float around 4.5, but this is the weighted GPA, considering the extra points from Honors and AP classes. Now, a 3.7 unweighted GPA is fairly competitive; however, it is indeed below the UCLA average.
Does your state affect college admissions? ›
Public colleges, in most states, are required to favor in-state applicants as their tuition is supported by tax revenue. Therefore, it's often much more difficult for out-of-state students to gain acceptance, and when they do, they pay a much higher tuition.
Are you more likely to get accepted out of state? ›
It appears that the admit rate of out-of-state students is higher than in-state students, but that's misleading. Out-of state students have a VERY low yield rate (about 20%), so the UCs simply admit more. But at the end of the day, not it is not easier to be admitted to a top UC than a CA residents.
Are state universities easier to get into? ›
Yes, there are several easy colleges with higher acceptance rates in California. Some examples include California State University, Chico, Sonoma State University, and Humboldt State University. These colleges are known for accepting more applicants, making them ideal for students seeking quick acceptance.