California State University Long Beach campus

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Cal State Long Beach Demographics & Diversity

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Racial Demographics & Diversity

Racial Diversity

Racial Diversity

Very High

Racial Diversity Index: 73%

Racial diversity is the chance that two students chosen at random are from different racial or ethnic groups, using the U.S. Census Bureau Diversity Index. Students at Cal State Long Beach are predominantly Hispanic with a sizeable Asian population. The school has very high racial diversity. 81% percent of students are minorities or people of color (BIPOC). The ethnic breakdown is detailed in the following table.

California State University Long Beach has been designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and is eligible for federal grants supporting the school's efforts to serve Hispanic Americans.

Racial demographics of California State University Long Beach students
Race Percent of Students
White
19%
Black
4%
Hispanic
39%
Asian
23%
American Indian / Alaskan
0%
Hawaiian / Pacific Islander
0%
Two or more races
5%
International
6%
Race Unknown
4%

Gender Demographics & Diversity

Gender Diversity

Gender Diversity

Very High

Gender Diversity Index: 48%

There are 43% more female students than male students enrolled at California State University Long Beach with a gender ratio of 59% women to 41% men. Compared to the US average of 56% female students, Cal State Long Beach has a higher gender diversity than other US colleges and is very inclusive of both genders.

Male to female gender ratio for California State University Long Beach students
Gender Percent of Students
Men
41%
Women
59%
Enrollment by gender for California State University Long Beach students
Gender Number of Students
Men
17,258
Women
24,745

Geographic Diversity

Geographic Diversity

Geographic Diversity

Extremely Low

Geographic Diversity Index: 3%

Cal State Long Beach draws 97 percent of students from California, 1 percent from other states, and 2 percent from other countries. Geographic diversity is the share of students from outside California, including other U.S. states and other countries.

Enrollment by geographic location for California State University Long Beach students
Origin Percent of Students
In State
97%
Out of State
1%
Foreign
2%
Unknown Location
0%

Economic Diversity

Median Household Income

Median Household Income

$66,954 per year

52% of students can be considered low-income as indicated by their receipt of Federal Pell Grant Aid.

Total Enrollment

Total Enrollment

Total enrollment

42,003
Share of undergraduates by age and part-time status
Segment Percent of Students
Students Over 25 Years Old 18.1%
Part-time undergraduates 13.6%

Other Colleges to Consider

Students applying to California State University Long Beach often consider these colleges

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=110583.

Racial and gender diversity ratings use the U.S. Census Bureau Diversity Index (Gini-Simpson): the probability that two students chosen at random belong to different groups. See the Census method note, Measuring Racial and Ethnic Diversity for the 2020 Census. Geographic diversity is the share of students from outside the college's home state (other U.S. states plus international). IPEDS does not publish enrollment by individual state of residence.

Last updated: August 2026