Cal State Long Beach vs. Mount Saint Mary's University

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Long Beach in Long Beach, CA with Mount Saint Mary's University in Los Angeles, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Long Beach is larger than Mount Saint Mary's University based on total student enrollment (42,003 students vs. 2,312 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Long Beach is located in Long Beach, CA (Large City setting); Mount Saint Mary's University is in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting).
• California State University Long Beach is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Mount Saint Mary's University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Long Beach 23:1; Mount Saint Mary's University 8:1.

Cal State Long Beach vs. Mount Saint Mary's University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State Long Beach or Mount Saint Mary's 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 Mount Saint Mary's University ($10,607 vs. $27,368).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mount Saint Mary's University are 0.6% lower than at California State University Long Beach ($15,518 vs. $15,612).
• Mount Saint Mary's University is 574.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State Long Beach (about $42,214 more per year; $49,564.00 vs. $7,350.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 148.4% higher at Mount Saint Mary's University than at California State University Long Beach (about $29,614 more per year; $49,564.00 vs. $19,950.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mount Saint Mary's University than at California State University Long Beach (100% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mount Saint Mary's University students is 232.5% larger than aid received by California State University Long Beach students ($39,218 vs. $11,795).

Cal State Long Beach vs. Mount Saint Mary's University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cal State Long Beach or Mount Saint Mary's 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 Mount Saint Mary's University and Cal State Long Beach.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University Long Beach (1130) is 120 points higher than at Mount Saint Mary's University (1010).
• Incoming Cal State Long Beach students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 20 at Mount Saint Mary's University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Long Beach 1020/1240; Mount Saint Mary's University 900/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Long Beach 20/26; Mount Saint Mary's University 18/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State Long Beach - Test-free; Mount Saint Mary's University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State Long Beach Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Cal State Long Beach students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Mount Saint Mary's University (3.59).
• Mount Saint Mary's University has a higher acceptance rate (73.1%) than Cal State Long Beach (46.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.7% at Cal State Long Beach vs. 12% at Mount Saint Mary's University.

Cal State Long Beach vs. Mount Saint Mary's University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal State Long Beach and Mount Saint Mary's 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 Mount Saint Mary's University's (47%).
• Graduates from Mount Saint Mary's University earn a median of about $7,900 more per year than Cal State Long Beach graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,000 vs. $51,100), 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 Mount Saint Mary's University 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 Mount Saint Mary's University graduates ($155 vs. $258).
• More Cal State Long Beach graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mount Saint Mary's University students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 59%)

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.