University of West Los Angeles (UWLA) traces its origins to a law school founded in 1966. Its later development into a university added business education alongside its longstanding focus on legal study.
That history matters when evaluating UWLA: it is a small, professionally oriented institution rather than a broad residential university. Applicants should check which school offers their intended credential, because law and business programs have different admissions requirements, costs, and career considerations.
UWLA's principal academic units are its School of Law and School of Business. Prospective students should distinguish a law degree from an undergraduate or graduate business credential when comparing programs, admissions rules, and professional outcomes.
The law school offers a path toward legal study in California; business offerings include business administration. Program titles, course formats, and available concentrations can change, so the current academic catalog is the appropriate place to confirm a specific degree and its required courses. Institutional figures for 2024-25 list four full-time and 55 part-time faculty members across undergraduate and graduate teaching. Those counts describe employment status, not class size or the number of instructors assigned to any particular program.
UWLA has an Inglewood, California, location in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. Its setting is more relevant to commuters and working students than to applicants seeking a traditional residential campus.
Inglewood is near Los Angeles International Airport and regional transit connections, but a convenient route to the city does not necessarily mean a convenient trip to a particular classroom. UWLA has also operated in the Chatsworth area of the San Fernando Valley. Applicants should confirm the location and delivery format of each required course before choosing a program, especially if they expect to travel between work, home, and campus.
UWLA presents its educational purpose in terms of access to professional education, particularly in law and business. Its emphasis on practical study helps explain its program mix and appeal to students balancing education with other responsibilities.
A mission statement describes institutional priorities, not a measured outcome. Applicants can test how those priorities translate into their own program by examining the course schedule, opportunities for applied work, instructor availability, and the academic support offered at their study location.
Name of the institution
University of West Los AngelesLevel of institution
Four or more yearsControl of institution
PrivateSetting type
Suburb: LargeInstitutional Category
Degree - granting, primarily baccalaureate or aboveInstitution size category
Under 1,000School type
UniversityMain student body
CoeducationalCalendar system
SemestersFoundation year
1966University of West Los Angeles is institutionally accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission, an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation confirms that the school meets quality standards and is required for students to receive federal financial aid.
Bachelor's degree
Master's degree
Doctor's degree - professional practiceData last updated on November 2, 2026
Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026
Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.