Let’s be real for a second. If you’re looking at the Cal State LA nursing program acceptance rate, you’ve probably seen some wild numbers. One website says 92% and another says 10%. It’s enough to make you want to close your laptop and give up before you even buy a stethoscope. But here’s the thing: that 92% number is for the entire university. Getting into Cal State LA as a whole is actually pretty doable. Getting into the Patricia A. Chin School of Nursing? That is a completely different beast.
Honestly, it’s one of the most competitive programs in California. We are talking about roughly 700 applicants fighting over just 70 seats. That puts the actual acceptance rate for the traditional BSN at about 10%.
Some years it dips even lower. It’s a numbers game that feels a bit like The Hunger Games, but with more organic chemistry and less archery. If you aren't bringing a nearly perfect GPA and a high TEAS score to the table, your application might not even get a second look.
The Brutal Reality of the Numbers
You might hear people say nursing school is hard to get into. That’s an understatement here. Because Cal State LA is a public university with relatively affordable tuition—around $39,248 for the total program—everyone wants in.
In 2024 and 2025, the trend has stayed the same. The school consistently limits the cohort size to around 70 students for the Fall start. Why so few? It’s not because they want to be mean. It’s because clinical placements in Los Angeles are incredibly hard to secure. There are only so many hospitals and so many shifts to go around, and Cal State LA is competing with UCLA, USC, and a dozen community colleges for those same spots.
If you’re applying to the Accelerated BSN (ABSN)—which is for people who already have a degree in something else—the competition doesn't get any easier. That program only admits once a year for the summer term. You’re still looking at a tiny window of opportunity and a massive pile of applications.
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What it Actually Takes to Get In (Beyond the Minimums)
The "minimum" requirements are a trap. The brochure might say you need a 3.25 GPA to apply, but if you show up with a 3.25, you’re basically just donating your application fee.
To actually be competitive for the Cal State LA nursing program, you need to aim for:
- A GPA of 3.6 or higher. Most admitted students are hovering closer to a 3.8 or 4.0 in their science prerequisites.
- TEAS scores above 80%. While 70% is the "minimum" for each subtest (Reading, Math, Science, and English), the students who actually get seats are usually hitting the mid-80s or 90s.
- Straight As in the "Big Four." That’s Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology, and Chemistry.
One thing that surprises people is that Cal State LA has a "one-and-done" rule for the traditional BSN. You can only apply once. If you don't make the cut, you can't just keep trying every year like you might at other schools. This makes the stakes incredibly high. You have to be "application-ready" the moment you hit submit on NursingCAS.
The Local Preference Factor
Here is a bit of inside info: Cal State LA gives "local preference." This means if you are a current Cal State LA student, a military veteran, or coming from a local community college, you might get a slight edge in the ranking system.
But don't rely on that. Even local students get rejected every single day because their TEAS score was a 78 instead of an 82. The ranking system is cold and calculated. They look at your GPA, your TEAS, and your healthcare experience.
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The Experience Gap
Speaking of experience, they say volunteer or work experience is "optional but strongly recommended." In the world of competitive nursing admissions, "strongly recommended" usually means "do it or you're at a disadvantage."
They want to see at least 50 to 100 hours of service. This isn't just to check a box; it’s to prove you actually know what a hospital smells like and you still want to work there. If you’ve worked as a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) or an EMT, you’re in a much better position than someone who just has high grades but has never touched a patient.
Navigating the Application Mess
Applying is a two-step headache. You have to apply to the university via Cal State Apply by December 1st, and then you have to submit a separate application to the School of Nursing via NursingCAS by January 15th.
Missing one deadline or forgetting to upload one transcript is the easiest way to get an automatic rejection. And let me tell you, NursingCAS is not the most user-friendly platform. It’s clunky, it’s slow, and it will stress you out.
Pro Tip: Don't wait until January 14th to upload your TEAS scores. The system can lag, and if your "Individual Performance Profile" isn't there by the 8:59 PM PST deadline, nobody is going to listen to your excuses.
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Is the Program Actually Good?
This is where things get a little controversial. If you spend any time on Reddit or Allnurses, you’ll see some students complaining about the organization of the program. Some have mentioned issues with clinical placements being last-minute or "unorganized."
However, the NCLEX pass rate tells a different story. Cal State LA consistently maintains a pass rate in the mid-90s. In some recent years, it has even hit 98% or higher. That means even if the administrative side feels a bit chaotic, the actual education is working. You will come out prepared to be a nurse.
Actionable Steps: Your Game Plan
If you’re serious about beating the Cal State LA nursing program acceptance rate, you need a strategy. You can't just "wing it."
- Protect your GPA like it's gold. If you're struggling in Anatomy, get a tutor yesterday. A "C" in a science prerequisite is often a dealbreaker.
- Take the TEAS seriously. Don't just take it to see how you do. Use study guides, join Facebook groups, and take practice tests until you are consistently scoring in the 85-90 range.
- Get your hours in. Whether it’s volunteering at a clinic or working as a scribe, get that healthcare experience on your resume before the January deadline.
- Check the "Recency" and "First Attempt" rules. Cal State LA is strict. They generally want to see a "B" or better on your first attempt at prerequisites. If you retook a class to get a better grade, check their latest policy, as they often penalize or ignore the second attempt for ranking purposes.
- Have a Plan B. Because the acceptance rate is so low, you should also be applying to other CSUs (like Fullerton or Long Beach), private schools (if you can afford them), and local community college ADN programs.
Getting into this program is a marathon, not a sprint. It’s okay to feel overwhelmed, but focus on the variables you can control: your grades and your test scores.
If you want to stay on top of the exact requirements, keep a close eye on the Patricia A. Chin School of Nursing official site. Requirements can change slightly from year to year, and being out of the loop is the quickest way to find yourself in that 90% rejection pile.