CSU vs. Cal State Long Beach

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Chico in Chico, CA with California State University Long Beach in Long Beach, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Long Beach is larger than CSU based on total student enrollment (42,003 students vs. 15,257 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Chico is located in Chico, CA (Small City setting); California State University Long Beach is in Long Beach, CA (Large City setting).
• California State University Chico is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. California State University Long Beach is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Chico 23:1; California State University Long Beach 23:1.

CSU vs. Cal State Long Beach Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU or Cal State Long Beach? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at California State University Long Beach than CSU ($10,607 vs. $14,630).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Long Beach are 5.4% lower than at California State University Chico ($15,612 vs. $16,500).
• California State University Chico is 15.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State Long Beach (about $1,122 more per year; $8,472.00 vs. $7,350.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.6% higher at CSU than at California State University Long Beach (about $1,122 more per year; $21,072.00 vs. $19,950.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Long Beach than at California State University Chico (76% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Long Beach students is 2.5% larger than aid received by California State University Chico students ($11,795 vs. $11,509).

CSU vs. Cal State Long Beach Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU or Cal State Long Beach? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Cal State Long Beach and CSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University Long Beach (1130) is 60 points higher than at CSU (1070).
• Incoming Cal State Long Beach students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at CSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Chico 970/1170; California State University Long Beach 1020/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Chico 18/24; California State University Long Beach 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU - Test-free; Cal State Long Beach - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Dec 15, 2026; Cal State Long Beach Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Cal State Long Beach students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at CSU (3.37).
• CSU has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than Cal State Long Beach (46.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.2% at CSU vs. 16.7% at Cal State Long Beach.

CSU vs. Cal State Long Beach Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU and Cal State Long Beach? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• California State University Chico's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than California State University Long Beach's (54%).
• Graduates from California State University Chico earn a median of about $1,300 more per year than Cal State Long Beach graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,400 vs. $51,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Long Beach graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than CSU graduates ($15,000 vs. $17,000).
• Among borrowers, Cal State Long Beach graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU graduates ($155 vs. $175).
• More CSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cal State Long Beach students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 69%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.