Cal State Long Beach vs. BSU

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Long Beach is larger than BSU based on total student enrollment (42,003 students vs. 21,089 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Long Beach is located in Long Beach, CA (Large City setting); Ball State University is in Muncie, IN (Small City setting).
• California State University Long Beach is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Ball State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Long Beach 23:1; Ball State University 14:1.

Cal State Long Beach vs. BSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State Long Beach or BSU? 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 BSU ($10,607 vs. $13,599).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ball State University are 21% lower than at California State University Long Beach ($12,334 vs. $15,612).
• Ball State University is 50.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State Long Beach (about $3,732 more per year; $11,082.00 vs. $7,350.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 48.5% higher at BSU than at California State University Long Beach (about $9,680 more per year; $29,630.00 vs. $19,950.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ball State University than at California State University Long Beach (77% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ball State University students is 12.1% larger than aid received by California State University Long Beach students ($13,218 vs. $11,795).

Cal State Long Beach vs. BSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cal State Long Beach or BSU? 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 BSU and Cal State Long Beach.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Ball State University (1170) is 40 points higher than at Cal State Long Beach (1130).
• Incoming Cal State Long Beach students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at BSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Long Beach 1020/1240; Ball State University 1080/1260.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Long Beach 20/26; Ball State University 20/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State Long Beach - Test-free; BSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State Long Beach Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Cal State Long Beach students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at BSU (3.52).
• BSU has a higher acceptance rate (85.5%) than Cal State Long Beach (46.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.7% at Cal State Long Beach vs. 20.4% at BSU.

Cal State Long Beach vs. BSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal State Long Beach and BSU? 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).

• Ball State University's six-year graduation rate (55%) is higher than California State University Long Beach's (54%).
• Graduates from California State University Long Beach earn a median of about $8,600 more per year than BSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,100 vs. $42,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Long Beach graduates have a $10,000 lower median loan debt than BSU graduates ($15,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Cal State Long Beach graduates have an estimated $103 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BSU graduates ($155 vs. $258).
• More Cal State Long Beach graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former BSU students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 63%)

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.