Loyola Marymount University

Loyola Marymount University

(LMU)

Los Angeles, CAPrivateComprehensiveNCAA D1Admissions

Loyola Marymount University is a private Jesuit university in Los Angeles known for its top-ranked School of Film and Television. LMU's location in the entertainment capital of the world provides students with direct access to major studios, production companies, and media networks. The university combines a strong liberal arts core with professionally focused programs in business, communications, and engineering.

Mascot: Lion

Notable Alumni

Tyra Banks (supermodel and TV host)Colin Hanks (actor)Tom Mueller (co-founder of SpaceX propulsion)

At a Glance

Acceptance Rate
46%
SAT (Optional)
1280–1400
Avg GPA
3.82
Enrollment
7K
Setting
Urban
Founded
1911

Cost

Tuition$64K
Room & Board$24K
Est. Annual Total$88K

Published sticker prices for 2025-2026. Actual cost after aid varies.

Top Programs & National Ranking

Approximate national ranking based on departmental rankings, research output, and program reputation.

Highlights

Top film and TV school
LA entertainment access
Jesuit education tradition

Athletics

Division
NCAA Division 1
Conference
West Coast Conference
View on NCAA.com

Campus Experience

Social Life
Moderate
Academic Pressure
Moderate
Greek Life
Moderate
Campus Beauty
Beautiful

LMU has a 'work hard, play hard' ethos on a gorgeous bluff overlooking the Pacific, but the party scene is modest compared to neighboring USC. About 25% go Greek with a visible campus presence, but there are no fraternity houses on campus and little pressure to join. The Jesuit and Marymount mission infuses a service-oriented culture, and being on LA's Westside means the beach, restaurants, and entertainment industry are your real social playground.

Blufftop campus with sweeping views from the Westchester hills to the Pacific, featuring striking Spanish Renaissance and modern architecture set among palm trees and vibrant landscaping.

Based on Niche reviews, Princeton Review surveys, student forums, and institutional data.

Safety

Campus SafetyVery Safe

The bluff-top campus overlooking Playa Vista has a dedicated Campus Safety department, controlled access, and low crime rates. The campus's elevated, gated layout limits outside access.

Neighborhood SafetySafe

Westchester and Playa del Rey are relatively safe LA neighborhoods with below-average crime, though students should be aware when venturing into busier commercial areas.

Based on Clery Act data, student surveys, and local crime statistics.

Plan Your Visit

Guided Tour

Schedule: Mon-Fri at 10am and 1pm year-round

Duration: ~60-75 minutes walking tour

Arrive 40+ minutes before your tour — finding parking takes 20+ min and the walk from Visitor Parking to Admissions is 10 min. Information sessions about academics and student life also available.

Book a Tour
Self-Guided Tour

Self-guided tour option available with downloadable map. 360-degree virtual tour shows sweeping bluff-top views. Interactive campus tour available at tour.concept3d.com.

Tour Resources
Insider Tips
Find the piece of the Berlin Wall by the Malone Student Center — it's one of the largest sections west of the Mississippi and most visitors walk right past it without knowing
Visit University Hall, which was converted from a former Hughes Aircraft Company headquarters — the industrial-to-academic transformation is a unique piece of LA aviation history
Walk behind Sacred Heart Chapel to the lookout point for one of the best panoramic views of Los Angeles — on a clear day you can see from the Hollywood Sign to Catalina Island
Check out the top floor of the William H. Hannon Library, which has a museum with rotating exhibits and gets progressively quieter as you go up — the LEED Gold-certified building itself is architecturally striking
Best Time to Visit

October through November or February through April when classes are in session and LA weather is at its best. Avoid late December through mid-January (break) and finals weeks. Morning visits have clearer views before any haze rolls in.

Getting There

Enter via main entrance off Lincoln Blvd, get a parking pass from the guard at the front gate. Parking charged Mon-Fri 8am-8pm. From LAX: north on Sepulveda Blvd, merge onto Lincoln Blvd north, right onto LMU Drive — just 4 miles, about 10-15 min without traffic. No convenient Metro access; driving or rideshare recommended.

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