What programs are the hardest to get into at UCLA?

Asked by: Mikel Crooks  |  Last update: February 19, 2026
Score: 4.5/5 (14 votes)

The hardest programs to get into at UCLA are typically within specialized schools like Nursing, Engineering (especially Computer Science), and Theater, Film, and Television (TFT), often with single-digit acceptance rates, alongside highly impacted majors in the College like Business Economics and Computer Science (within Engineering), due to massive application volume and limited seats. Nursing consistently has the lowest rates, sometimes under 1%, while Engineering and TFT also see extremely low admits.

What is the hardest major to get into UCLA?

The hardest majors to get into at UCLA, based on extremely low acceptance rates and high competition, are typically Nursing, Film & Television, and Computer Science, with Nursing often having single-digit acceptance rates (around 1-2%), Film & TV around 1-2%, and Computer Science also very low (around 4%), alongside competitive Engineering and Business Economics programs. These impacted majors require top scores and strong applications due to high demand and limited spots, often needing supplemental materials like auditions or specific prerequisites. 

What are the top 3 majors at UCLA?

While popularity shifts, UCLA's consistently top majors by application numbers and student interest include Psychology, Computer Science, and Business Economics, with strong showings also from Political Science, Sociology, and Biology. Psychology often leads in total majors, while CS and Business Econ are highly sought after by applicants, making them top choices in terms of demand. 

What UC major has a 1% acceptance rate?

The University of California (UC) major with the extremely low acceptance rate, around 1%, is Nursing, particularly at campuses like UCLA and UC Irvine, making it the most competitive field due to high demand, meaningful work, and excellent career prospects in California. While Computer Science and Engineering are also highly competitive, Nursing stands out as the hardest to get into across the UC system.
 

Which UCLA majors are impacted?

In conclusion, the most impacted majors at UCLA are Film & Television (1%), Computer Science (2%), Nursing (2%), Theater (3%), Computer Engineering (6%), and Communications (9%).

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42 related questions found

What are the top 3 hardest majors?

While "hardest" is subjective, the top contenders for most challenging majors consistently include Engineering (especially Aerospace, Chemical), Medicine, Physics, and Architecture, often due to demanding coursework, intensive problem-solving, heavy workloads, or deep conceptual understanding required in STEM and healthcare fields, according to analyses of study time, GPA, and perceived difficulty.
 

What's the easiest major to get into at UCLA?

There isn't one single "easiest" major, as UCLA admission varies, but Humanities & Arts majors often have higher admit rates than STEM, with Ethnomusicology, World Arts and Cultures, Musicology, and Human Biology and Society showing better odds, especially for transfers, but GPA expectations remain high; focus on a major you love for genuine success, not just an easy entry, advises Quora users. 

What are the top 3 UC's?

The top 3 University of California (UC) campuses consistently ranked highest are UC Berkeley, UCLA, and UC San Diego (UCSD), often followed closely by UC Davis and UC Irvine, depending on the ranking publication and methodology, with these top three often trading the top spots as top public universities in the nation, according to sources like U.S. News & World Report and Forbes. 

What is the 9% UC rule?

The "UC 9 rule" refers to the University of California's guaranteed admission for California residents who rank in the top 9% of their high school graduating class (ELC program) or the top 9% of all California high school graduates based on a Statewide Index, offering a spot at a UC campus if not admitted elsewhere, typically UC Merced. This guarantee uses a formula (Admissions Index) considering GPA and A-G courses, aiming to ensure access for high-achieving state residents. 

Is UCLA or UC Berkeley 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%. 

Is UCLA harder than Harvard?

It's generally harder to get into Harvard due to its lower acceptance rate (~3-4%) compared to UCLA (~9%), making Harvard more selective overall, but UCLA can be harder for some applicants, especially in-state California residents who must meet strict UC criteria like being in the top 9% of their class, leading to extremely high GPAs for admission, creating a different kind of difficulty. Both are elite, but Harvard focuses more on global leadership potential alongside academics, while UCLA's "Public Ivy" status means massive applicant pools seeking top-tier education, making it highly competitive, especially for top grades. 

Why is UCLA not number 1 anymore?

UCLA slipped from its #1 public university spot (held for 8 years) primarily due to significant federal funding cuts tied to campus controversies (antisemitism, DEI issues) in 2025, impacting research metrics, alongside a shifting U.S. News & World Report methodology favoring Berkeley in certain areas like research funding and graduate outcomes, though UCLA remains a top institution with strengths in other metrics like social mobility. 

What is the easiest cluster at UCLA?

Probably the easiest set of classes I've done at UCLA. The whole Cluster 70 series was a breeze. If you took a lot of advanced science classes in high school, these series of classes will basically be an easier version of that.

What extracurriculars impress UCLA admissions?

As UCLA's admissions office puts it: “get more involved in extracurriculars that build on your passions, interests and skills. Whether you're into bass guitar, baseball or baking, colleges will be impressed by your desire to become an expert in the areas that interest you.”

What major is best for UCLA?

The most popular majors at University of California, Los Angeles include: Social Sciences; Biological and Biomedical Sciences; Psychology; Mathematics and Statistics; Engineering; Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies; Visual and Performing Arts; Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services; Communication, ...

What is the easiest UC to get into in California?

Among UC schools, UC Merced has the highest acceptance rate at 91.7%. Meaning, most applicants get accepted. This makes it the easiest UC to get into.

Which 60 colleges are being investigated?

U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights Sends Letters to 60 Universities Under Investigation for Antisemitic Discrimination and Harassment

  • American University.
  • Arizona State University.
  • Boston University.
  • Brown University.
  • California State University, Sacramento.
  • Chapman University.
  • Columbia University.

Is it better to go to a UC or CAL state?

The UC (University of California) and CSU (California State University) systems are California's two public university systems, differing in focus, cost, and campus environment: UCs emphasize research, theory, and graduate studies with higher costs and more residential campuses, while CSUs focus on hands-on, practical learning, workforce preparation, and often offer lower tuition with more commuter-friendly, spread-out campuses. UCs generally have higher admission selectivity, while CSUs offer a broader range of applied degrees and are known for strong teaching and accessibility, making the choice dependent on a student's career goals.
 

Which UC has the happiest students?

UC Davis Is One of the 25 Happiest Public Universities in the US.

Which UC is the biggest party school?

The University of California, Santa Barbara, was ranked as the US's No. 1 party school.

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Is UCLA or UCB #1?

It's a close race, with UC Berkeley taking the #1 public university spot in recent U.S. News 2026 rankings, unseating UCLA, though they've tied or traded the top spot for years, with UCLA holding it previously, making both consistently the nation's top public universities. Rankings vary by source, but generally, they are considered the top two, often tied or within a few spots of each other, depending on the specific list (like Forbes or QS) and year. 

How can I increase my chances of getting into UCLA?

Build a Strong Academic Foundation

Meeting A-G requirements won't guarantee admission to UCLA. It takes a high grade point average (GPA), rigorous courses, and upward academic trends to impress UCLA admissions officers. UCLA reported the median GPA for 2024 admits was 4.60 weighted and 4.00 unweighted.

What is the easiest major for premed?

The "easiest" pre-med major is subjective, but Humanities, Psychology, Sociology, or Anthropology are often cited as easier for GPA because they focus on reading/writing, while Biology is popular for overlapping coursework but competitive, and Math/Statistics shows high acceptance rates but is difficult, so the best choice is a major you enjoy and can excel in, meeting prerequisites.
 

What is the hardest major to get into at UCLA?

The hardest majors to get into at UCLA, based on extremely low acceptance rates and high competition, are typically Nursing, Film & Television, and Computer Science, with Nursing often having single-digit acceptance rates (around 1-2%), Film & TV around 1-2%, and Computer Science also very low (around 4%), alongside competitive Engineering and Business Economics programs. These impacted majors require top scores and strong applications due to high demand and limited spots, often needing supplemental materials like auditions or specific prerequisites.