Cal State Long Beach vs. FIU

Comparable Facts

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

Florida International University is larger than Cal State Long Beach based on total student enrollment (54,723 students vs. 42,003 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Long Beach is located in Long Beach, CA (Large City setting); Florida International University is in Miami, FL (Large Suburban setting).
• California State University Long Beach is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Florida International University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Long Beach 23:1; Florida International University 24:1.

Cal State Long Beach vs. FIU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State Long Beach or FIU? 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 FIU ($10,607 vs. $11,178).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Florida International University are 16.2% lower than at California State University Long Beach ($13,080 vs. $15,612).
• California State University Long Beach is 12% more expensive for in-state tuition than FIU (about $785 more per year; $7,350.00 vs. $6,565.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.2% higher at Cal State Long Beach than at Florida International University (about $986 more per year; $19,950.00 vs. $18,964.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Florida International University than at California State University Long Beach (84% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Long Beach students is 14% larger than aid received by Florida International University students ($11,795 vs. $10,350).

Cal State Long Beach vs. FIU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Florida International University (1170) is 40 points higher than at Cal State Long Beach (1130).
• Incoming FIU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 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; Florida International University 1070/1260.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Long Beach 20/26; Florida International University 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State Long Beach - Test-free; FIU - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State Long Beach Nov 30, 2026; FIU Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman FIU students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Cal State Long Beach (3.7).
• FIU has a higher acceptance rate (54.7%) than Cal State Long Beach (46.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.7% at Cal State Long Beach vs. 29.2% at FIU.

Cal State Long Beach vs. FIU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal State Long Beach and FIU? 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 Long Beach's six-year graduation rate (54%) is higher than Florida International University's (43%).
• Graduates from California State University Long Beach earn a median of about $1,200 more per year than FIU graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,100 vs. $49,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Long Beach graduates have a $2,228 lower median loan debt than FIU graduates ($15,000 vs. $17,228).
• Among borrowers, Cal State Long Beach graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than FIU graduates ($155 vs. $178).
• More Cal State Long Beach graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former FIU students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 53%)

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.