Cal State Long Beach vs. San Diego State

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Long Beach is larger than San Diego State based on total student enrollment (42,003 students vs. 41,137 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Long Beach is located in Long Beach, CA (Large City setting); San Diego State University is in San Diego, CA (Large City setting).
• California State University Long Beach is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. San Diego State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Long Beach 23:1; San Diego State University 27:1.

Cal State Long Beach vs. San Diego State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State Long Beach or San Diego 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 San Diego State ($10,607 vs. $14,704).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Long Beach are 32.2% lower than at San Diego State University ($15,612 vs. $23,030).
• San Diego State University is 18.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State Long Beach (about $1,378 more per year; $8,728.00 vs. $7,350.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.9% higher at San Diego State than at California State University Long Beach (about $1,378 more per year; $21,328.00 vs. $19,950.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Long Beach than at San Diego State University (76% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Diego State University students is 2.2% larger than aid received by California State University Long Beach students ($12,053 vs. $11,795).

Cal State Long Beach vs. San Diego State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at San Diego State University (1200) is 70 points higher than at Cal State Long Beach (1130).
• Incoming San Diego State students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 23 at Cal State Long Beach).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Long Beach 1020/1240; San Diego State University 1090/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Long Beach 20/26; San Diego State University 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State Long Beach - Test-free; San Diego State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State Long Beach Nov 30, 2026; San Diego State Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman San Diego State students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at Cal State Long Beach (3.7).
• Cal State Long Beach has a higher acceptance rate (46.3%) than San Diego State (36.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.7% at Cal State Long Beach vs. 20.4% at San Diego State.

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

How do outcomes compare for Cal State Long Beach and San Diego 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).

• San Diego State University's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than California State University Long Beach's (54%).
• Graduates from San Diego State University earn a median of about $2,300 more per year than Cal State Long Beach graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,400 vs. $51,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Long Beach graduates have a $349 lower median loan debt than San Diego State graduates ($15,000 vs. $15,349).
• Among borrowers, Cal State Long Beach graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than San Diego State graduates ($155 vs. $158).
• More Cal State Long Beach graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former San Diego State students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 65%)

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.