Cal State Long Beach vs. San Diego Christian College

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Long Beach in Long Beach, CA with San Diego Christian College in Santee, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Long Beach is larger than San Diego Christian College based on total student enrollment (42,003 students vs. 96 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Long Beach is located in Long Beach, CA (Large City setting); San Diego Christian College is in Santee, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• California State University Long Beach is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. San Diego Christian College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Long Beach 23:1; San Diego Christian College 9:1.

Cal State Long Beach vs. San Diego Christian College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State Long Beach or San Diego Christian College? 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 San Diego Christian College ($10,607 vs. $21,199).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at San Diego Christian College are 29% lower than at California State University Long Beach ($11,080 vs. $15,612).
• San Diego Christian College is 281.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State Long Beach (about $20,662 more per year; $28,012.00 vs. $7,350.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 40.4% higher at San Diego Christian College than at California State University Long Beach (about $8,062 more per year; $28,012.00 vs. $19,950.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at San Diego Christian College than at California State University Long Beach (100% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Diego Christian College students is 57.6% larger than aid received by California State University Long Beach students ($18,584 vs. $11,795).

Cal State Long Beach vs. San Diego Christian College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cal State Long Beach or San Diego Christian College? 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 San Diego Christian College and Cal State Long Beach.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University Long Beach (1130) is 130 points higher than at San Diego Christian College (1000).
• Incoming Cal State Long Beach students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at San Diego Christian College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Long Beach 1020/1240; San Diego Christian College 900/1098.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Long Beach 20/26; San Diego Christian College 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State Long Beach - Test-free; San Diego Christian College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State Long Beach Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Cal State Long Beach students have a 0.44 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at San Diego Christian College (3.26).
• Cal State Long Beach has a higher acceptance rate (46.3%) than San Diego Christian College (30.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.7% at Cal State Long Beach vs. 15.8% at San Diego Christian College.

Cal State Long Beach vs. San Diego Christian College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal State Long Beach and San Diego Christian College? 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 San Diego Christian College's (31%).
• Graduates from California State University Long Beach earn a median of about $11,600 more per year than San Diego Christian College graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,100 vs. $39,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Long Beach graduates have a $8,106 lower median loan debt than San Diego Christian College graduates ($15,000 vs. $23,106).
• Among borrowers, Cal State Long Beach graduates have an estimated $83 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than San Diego Christian College graduates ($155 vs. $238).
• More Cal State Long Beach graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former San Diego Christian College students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 47%)

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.