Cal State Long Beach vs. Kent State

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Long Beach is larger than Kent State based on total student enrollment (42,003 students vs. 26,374 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Long Beach is located in Long Beach, CA (Large City setting); Kent State University at Kent is in Kent, OH (Large Suburban setting).
• California State University Long Beach is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Kent State University at Kent is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Long Beach 23:1; Kent State University at Kent 20:1.

Cal State Long Beach vs. Kent State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State Long Beach or Kent State? 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 Kent State ($10,607 vs. $21,278).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kent State University at Kent are 11.6% lower than at California State University Long Beach ($13,794 vs. $15,612).
• Kent State University at Kent is 80% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State Long Beach (about $5,882 more per year; $13,232.00 vs. $7,350.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.7% higher at Kent State than at California State University Long Beach (about $3,132 more per year; $23,082.00 vs. $19,950.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Kent State University at Kent than at California State University Long Beach (95% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Long Beach students is 17.1% larger than aid received by Kent State University at Kent students ($11,795 vs. $10,076).

Cal State Long Beach vs. Kent State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University Long Beach (1130) is the same as at Kent State (1130).
• Incoming Cal State Long Beach students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at Kent State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Long Beach 1020/1240; Kent State University at Kent 1010/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Long Beach 20/26; Kent State University at Kent 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State Long Beach - Test-free; Kent State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State Long Beach Nov 30, 2026; Kent State Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cal State Long Beach students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Kent State (3.61).
• Kent State has a higher acceptance rate (86.3%) than Cal State Long Beach (46.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.7% at Cal State Long Beach vs. 20.3% at Kent State.

Cal State Long Beach vs. Kent State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal State Long Beach and Kent State? 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 Kent State University at Kent's (50%).
• Graduates from California State University Long Beach earn a median of about $10,800 more per year than Kent State graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,100 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Long Beach graduates have a $10,825 lower median loan debt than Kent State graduates ($15,000 vs. $25,825).
• Among borrowers, Cal State Long Beach graduates have an estimated $112 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Kent State graduates ($155 vs. $267).
• More Cal State Long Beach graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Kent State students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 46%)

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.