Did you grow up in LA county, or will this be your first time here? The expenses are going to add up and fast. Rent, utilities, parking, gasoline, groceries, insurance, tuition, books, etc. Do you plan to rely solely on transportation by car? The cost of gas is very expensive in LA county (cheapest last time I filled was something like $3.98 / gallon, but some cities go well over $4). If you’re commuting by car, you might want to be close to a freeway that will take you to your university.
If you want to save money, you might consider renting an apartment that is nearby several bus routes so that you can mix commuting by car and bus.
Also, do you plan on renting a studio/one room to yourself? It might be cheaper to find someone to room with so that you can split the costs. What about student housing on campus? This might also help you reduce costs as dorms usually include utilities (though often at the lack of your own bathroom/kitchen) and will all but eliminate commuting costs.
Are you paying for apartments on your own, or is someone helping you?