Cal State Long Beach vs. PUC

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Long Beach is larger than PUC based on total student enrollment (42,003 students vs. 974 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Long Beach is located in Long Beach, CA (Large City setting); Pacific Union College is in Angwin, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• California State University Long Beach is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Pacific Union College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Long Beach 23:1; Pacific Union College 12:1.

Cal State Long Beach vs. PUC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State Long Beach or PUC? 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 PUC ($10,607 vs. $22,767).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific Union College are 37.1% lower than at California State University Long Beach ($9,816 vs. $15,612).
• Pacific Union College is 405.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State Long Beach (about $29,823 more per year; $37,173.00 vs. $7,350.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 86.3% higher at PUC than at California State University Long Beach (about $17,223 more per year; $37,173.00 vs. $19,950.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pacific Union College than at California State University Long Beach (100% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Union College students is 125.8% larger than aid received by California State University Long Beach students ($26,629 vs. $11,795).

Cal State Long Beach vs. PUC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University Long Beach (1130) is 70 points higher than at PUC (1060).
• Incoming Cal State Long Beach students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at PUC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Long Beach 1020/1240; Pacific Union College 930/1190.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Long Beach 20/26; Pacific Union College 20/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State Long Beach - Test-free; PUC - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State Long Beach Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Cal State Long Beach students have a 0.46 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at PUC (3.24).
• PUC has a higher acceptance rate (47.3%) than Cal State Long Beach (46.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.7% at Cal State Long Beach vs. 14% at PUC.

Cal State Long Beach vs. PUC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal State Long Beach and PUC? 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 Pacific Union College's (45%).
• Graduates from Pacific Union College earn a median of about $8,100 more per year than Cal State Long Beach graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,200 vs. $51,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Long Beach graduates have a $15,000 lower median loan debt than PUC graduates ($15,000 vs. $30,000).
• Among borrowers, Cal State Long Beach graduates have an estimated $155 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PUC graduates ($155 vs. $310).
• More Cal State Long Beach graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PUC students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 57%)

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.