Cal State Long Beach vs. Chapman

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Long Beach is larger than Chapman based on total student enrollment (42,003 students vs. 9,760 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Long Beach is located in Long Beach, CA (Large City setting); Chapman University is in Orange, CA (Midsize City setting).
• California State University Long Beach is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Chapman University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Long Beach 23:1; Chapman University 12:1.

Cal State Long Beach vs. Chapman Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State Long Beach or Chapman? 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 Chapman ($10,607 vs. $47,902).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Long Beach are 12.4% lower than at Chapman University ($15,612 vs. $17,814).
• Chapman University is 784.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State Long Beach (about $57,634 more per year; $64,984.00 vs. $7,350.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 225.7% higher at Chapman than at California State University Long Beach (about $45,034 more per year; $64,984.00 vs. $19,950.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Chapman University than at California State University Long Beach (88% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Chapman University students is 200.4% larger than aid received by California State University Long Beach students ($35,434 vs. $11,795).

Cal State Long Beach vs. Chapman Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Chapman University (1350) is 220 points higher than at Cal State Long Beach (1130).
• Incoming Chapman students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 23 at Cal State Long Beach).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Long Beach 1020/1240; Chapman University 1260/1440.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Long Beach 20/26; Chapman University 28/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State Long Beach - Test-free; Chapman - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State Long Beach Nov 30, 2026; Chapman Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cal State Long Beach students have the same average high school GPA (3.7) as students at Chapman (3.7).
• Chapman has a higher acceptance rate (65.4%) than Cal State Long Beach (46.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.7% at Cal State Long Beach vs. 15.9% at Chapman.

Cal State Long Beach vs. Chapman Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Chapman University's six-year graduation rate (72%) is higher than California State University Long Beach's (54%).
• Graduates from Chapman University earn a median of about $3,000 more per year than Cal State Long Beach graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,100 vs. $51,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Long Beach graduates have a $5,938 lower median loan debt than Chapman graduates ($15,000 vs. $20,938).
• Among borrowers, Cal State Long Beach graduates have an estimated $61 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Chapman graduates ($155 vs. $216).
• More Cal State Long Beach graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Chapman students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 65%)

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.