Cal State Long Beach Admission Requirements
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Cal State Long Beach Admission Overview
Cal State Long Beach admission requirements are competitive. Last year Cal State Long Beach admitted 46.3% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.7 GPA (A-). Cal State Long Beach is test-free. SAT and ACT are not used for admission. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Cal State Long Beach is test-free for 2026-27. SAT and ACT are not used, even if you send them.
Cal State Long Beach Acceptance Rate
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance rate Share of applicants offered admission last year.
Admission Standards Measure of enrolled testers' SAT/ACT scores vs. other colleges.
Applicant Competition Measure of this school's acceptance rate vs. other colleges. A low acceptance rate indicates high competition.
Average
Admission difficulty for California State University Long Beach
Acceptance Rate
The Cal State Long Beach acceptance rate is 46.3%. Last year, 38,854 of 83,967 applicants were admitted. That is the 29th lowest acceptance rate in California.
Admission Selectivity
How hard is it to get into Cal State Long Beach and can you get accepted?
Cal State Long Beach is a competitive school to get into, turning away a substantial share of applicants. You have a good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.
California State University Long Beach typically attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.7. 17% of those admitted chose to enroll.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Cal State Long Beach GPA
GPA of enrolled freshmen
Avg. High School GPA The average high school GPA for incoming freshmen on a 4.0 scale.
3.7Typical High School Grades Letter grade on a 4.0 scale for last year's average, not a cutoff.
A-Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.7
Average GPA
Enrolled freshmen at Cal State Long Beach typically have around a 3.7 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have very good grades in high school. Cal State Long Beach is test-free, so GPA is the main academic number in the file.
25% of enrolled freshmen had a 4.0. The school ranks #27 in California for highest average GPA.
See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.7 GPA range.
Competitiveness by GPA Ranges
Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.
GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024
Cal State Long Beach Test Policy
Test Submission Requirements
California State University, Long Beach does not consider SAT or ACT scores for first-year admission in the 2026-27 cycle. The California State University no longer uses ACT or SAT examinations in determining admission eligibility at any CSU campus. If you are accepted, SAT or ACT scores can be used as one of the measures to place you in mathematics and written communication courses. You may report your ACT or College Board ID on Cal State Apply; scores sent to one CSU campus are available to every CSU campus you apply to.
Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://www.calstate.edu/apply/freshman/getting_into_the_csu/pages/testing-requirements.aspx
Cal State Long Beach SAT Scores
SAT scores of enrolled freshmen
SAT Range The middle 50% of enrolled testers from the last year SAT scores were reported. The maximum score is 1600.
1020-1240Freshmen who sent SAT Share of enrolled freshmen who submitted SAT scores, from the last year SAT scores were reported.
95%25th Percentile Scores
- Reading 510
- Math 510
- Composite 1020
75th Percentile Scores
- Reading 620
- Math 620
- Composite 1240
Average SAT
Enrolled testers at Cal State Long Beach typically score around a 1130 SAT (middle 50% 1020–1240) out of 1600. These figures are from the last year SAT scores were reported, not a cutoff. SAT is not used for admission, even if you send it. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 64th percentile nationally. Cal State Long Beach ranks #40 in the state of California for highest average SAT composite score.
SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1020 to 1240
View other colleges which accept students in the 1130 SAT score range.
SAT scores are from the last year they were reported to IPEDS. They are not used for admission.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Cal State Long Beach ACT Scores
ACT scores among enrolled freshmen
ACT Range Mid-50 ACT composite among enrolled testers in the last year ACT scores were reported. The scale tops out at 36.
20-26Freshmen reporting ACT Percent of enrolled freshmen who reported ACT, from the last year ACT scores were reported.
27%25th Percentile Scores
- English 19
- Math 18
- Composite 20
75th Percentile Scores
- English 26
- Math 26
- Composite 26
Average ACT
Incoming testers at Cal State Long Beach typically have around a 23 ACT (mid-50 20–26) on the 36 scale. These numbers come from the last year ACT scores were reported, not a minimum for admission. ACT is not considered, even if you submit it. That average sits near the 68th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Cal State Long Beach places #39 among colleges in California for highest average ACT composite.
ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 20 to 26
See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 23.0 ACT score range.
ACT figures reflect the last year they were reported to IPEDS. They are not used in admission.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Estimate How You Compare
Compare your GPA with last year's enrolled class and this school's acceptance rate. SAT and ACT are not used.
Open the Cal State Long Beach chances calculatorApplying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Application Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to California State University Long Beach and what student information is used for admission decisions?
Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Fall 2026 Application Deadline
Applications Due
Nov 30, 2026Days left to Apply
91Applicants have 91 days left until the Fall 2026 term applications are due on Nov 30, 2026.
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to California State University Long Beach is $70.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Credits Accepted
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Admission summary
Cal State Long Beach is test-free for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 46.3% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.7 GPA (about an A- average). Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Other Colleges to Apply To
Students applying to California State University Long Beach often consider these colleges
Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=110583.
GPA calculator: California State University Long Beach GPA calculator.
Last updated: August 2026