University of California-Los Angeles Swimming — Division I Recruiting Profile

At a Glance

University of California-Los Angeles Swim Program Overview

Recruiting Time Standards

Calibrated benchmarks for University of California-Los Angeles based on historical recruiting classes. A cut = scholarship / elite tier. B cut = scoring varsity. C cut = walk-on / depth.

University of California-Los Angeles Swimming Division and Conference

University of California-Los Angeles competes in NCAA Division I, in the Big Ten. Division I is the highest tier of NCAA athletics — programs recruit nationally and internationally, carry full-time coaching staffs, and qualify athletes to the NCAA Championships in March. The Big Ten conducts a conference championship each season, which influences national rankings and NCAA qualifying bids.

Is University of California-Los Angeles a good fit for swimmers?

University of California-Los Angeles is an NCAA Division I swim program competing in one of the most competitive conferences in college swimming — routinely sending multiple representatives to the NCAA Championships. Division I is the highest and most competitive level of college swimming, where teams recruit nationally and internationally, maintain full-time coaching staffs, and send qualifying athletes to the NCAA Championships each spring.

Competing in the Big Ten, University of California-Los Angeles swimmers face some of the strongest programs in the country throughout the season. Conference championship performance influences team rankings, national reputation, and how many swimmers earn bids to the NCAA Championships in March.

Women's D1 swimming is a headcount sport: each scholarship counts as one full athletic grant-in-aid, and programs may offer up to 14 per year. Men's D1 swimming is an equivalency sport: programs have 9.9 equivalencies to split across any number of swimmers. In practice, most recruited athletes at University of California-Los Angeles receive partial athletic scholarships, typically stacked with academic merit aid and need-based grants to bring the real cost of attendance down significantly.

Who should consider University of California-Los Angeles for swimming?

University of California-Los Angeles is an ideal recruiting target for swimmers who want to compete at the NCAA Division I level in the Big Ten while studying in Los Angeles, California. As a public university, University of California-Los Angeles is especially cost-competitive for California residents: in-state tuition of $14,000 is significantly below the out-of-state rate of $42,700. For recruited out-of-state swimmers, an athletic scholarship can close that gap and make the net cost of attendance highly competitive.

Based on University of California-Los Angeles's historical recruiting classes, the breakdown by tier for the 50 Free looks like this:

• Scholarship-target level (A cut) — 19.01 or faster in the 50 Free: These recruits are the top priority for coaching staff and are first in line for athletic aid discussions.
• Scoring varsity level (B cut) — 19.68: Expected to contribute points in dual meets and conference scoring situations. Strong candidates for partial athletic and merit aid packages.
• Walk-on / preferred walk-on (C cut) — 20.64: Adds training depth to the program. Walk-ons at D1 programs routinely drop significant time and can earn scholarship money in later years based on performance.

Coaches recruit on your best event — a single A-cut can open a recruiting conversation regardless of other events. See the full recruiting time standards table above for all 14 tracked events and identify where you stand across your entire event lineup.

Academically, University of California-Los Angeles admits 34.7% of applicants — a moderately selective school where strong grades will support your recruiting candidacy. Recruited athletes are expected to meet the standard admissions profile, and coaches typically have some ability to advocate for borderline candidates when the athletic need is strong.

Tuition, Costs & Financial Aid

Academic Profile

NCAA eligibility requires a minimum 2.3 GPA and 16 core courses for D1/D2, and a 2.0 GPA for D3, plus academic progress standards in each year. University of California-Los Angeles's admissions profile reflects the general academic baseline — most coaches prefer recruits who meet or comfortably exceed those standards.

Campus & Location

Coaching Staff & Recruiting Contact

Frequently Asked Questions

What division does University of California-Los Angeles swim in?

University of California-Los Angeles competes in NCAA Division I, in the Big Ten. The program offers men's varsity · women's varsity.

What recruiting times does University of California-Los Angeles swimming look for?

For the 50 Free, University of California-Los Angeles's A-cut recruiting standard is 19.01, the B cut is 19.68, and the C cut is 20.64. A cuts target scholarship-level recruits, B cuts are solid scoring varsity, and C cuts cover walk-on depth. See the full table above for all 14 tracked events.

How much does University of California-Los Angeles cost after financial aid?

IPEDS data shows an average net price of $16,200 per year at University of California-Los Angeles. Your real cost depends on your family's FAFSA Student Aid Index (SAI), any athletic aid, and merit scholarships.

Does University of California-Los Angeles swimming offer athletic scholarships?

Yes. University of California-Los Angeles competes in D1, where women's swimming is a headcount sport (up to 14 full athletic scholarships) and men's swimming is an equivalency sport (9.9 equivalencies split among the roster). Most recruits receive partial scholarships stacked with academic and need-based aid.

Does University of California-Los Angeles meet 100% of demonstrated financial need?

University of California-Los Angeles does not commit to meeting 100% of financial need. Aid packages typically include a combination of grants, loans, and work-study based on FAFSA results.

How selective is University of California-Los Angeles academically?

University of California-Los Angeles accepts 34.7% of applicants. Recruited swimmers are expected to meet or exceed the general admissions academic standards, though coaches may have limited bandwidth to advocate for borderline academic cases.

What conference does University of California-Los Angeles swimming compete in?

University of California-Los Angeles swims in the Big Ten. Conference championship performance influences NCAA qualifying times and the program's national ranking each season.

Is University of California-Los Angeles public or private, and does it matter for swim recruits?

University of California-Los Angeles is a public university. In-state students from California pay $14,000 in tuition vs. $42,700 out-of-state. Athletic scholarships can offset the out-of-state premium for recruited swimmers, making the net cost competitive regardless of home state.

Similar Programs

Other NCAA Division I programs in and around California — explore schools with comparable recruiting profiles

Big Ten Programs

University of California-Los Angeles competes against these schools throughout the season at dual meets and the Big Ten championship

Sources: NCAA, IPEDS, Niche.com, ProductiveRecruit. Recruiting time tiers (A/B/C) are University Swim Fit-calibrated benchmarks based on division, program tier, and historical recruiting classes.