Cal State Long Beach vs. Middle Tennessee State University

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Long Beach is larger than Middle Tennessee State University based on total student enrollment (42,003 students vs. 20,488 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Long Beach is located in Long Beach, CA (Large City setting); Middle Tennessee State University is in Murfreesboro, TN (Midsize City setting).
• California State University Long Beach is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Middle Tennessee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Long Beach 23:1; Middle Tennessee State University 17:1.

Cal State Long Beach vs. Middle Tennessee State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State Long Beach or Middle Tennessee State University? 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 Middle Tennessee State University ($10,607 vs. $13,859).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Middle Tennessee State University are 21.6% lower than at California State University Long Beach ($12,242 vs. $15,612).
• Middle Tennessee State University is 39.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State Long Beach (about $2,916 more per year; $10,266.00 vs. $7,350.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 58.3% higher at Middle Tennessee State University than at California State University Long Beach (about $11,624 more per year; $31,574.00 vs. $19,950.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Middle Tennessee State University than at California State University Long Beach (94% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Long Beach students is 10.6% larger than aid received by Middle Tennessee State University students ($11,795 vs. $10,665).

Cal State Long Beach vs. Middle Tennessee State University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University Long Beach (1130) is 10 points higher than at Middle Tennessee State University (1120).
• Incoming Cal State Long Beach students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 23) as students at Middle Tennessee State University (23).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Long Beach 1020/1240; Middle Tennessee State University 1010/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Long Beach 20/26; Middle Tennessee State University 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State Long Beach - Test-free; Middle Tennessee State University - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State Long Beach Nov 30, 2026; Middle Tennessee State University Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cal State Long Beach students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Middle Tennessee State University (3.64).
• Middle Tennessee State University has a higher acceptance rate (69.1%) than Cal State Long Beach (46.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.7% at Cal State Long Beach vs. 30.4% at Middle Tennessee State University.

Cal State Long Beach vs. Middle Tennessee State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal State Long Beach and Middle Tennessee State University? 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 Middle Tennessee State University's (45%).
• Graduates from California State University Long Beach earn a median of about $8,800 more per year than Middle Tennessee State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,100 vs. $42,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Long Beach graduates have a $6,758 lower median loan debt than Middle Tennessee State University graduates ($15,000 vs. $21,758).
• Among borrowers, Cal State Long Beach graduates have an estimated $69 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Middle Tennessee State University graduates ($155 vs. $224).
• More Cal State Long Beach graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Middle Tennessee State University students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 50%)

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.