Cal State Long Beach vs. San Francisco State

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Long Beach is larger than San Francisco State based on total student enrollment (42,003 students vs. 22,563 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Long Beach is located in Long Beach, CA (Large City setting); San Francisco State University is in San Francisco, CA (Large City setting).
• California State University Long Beach is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. San Francisco State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Long Beach 23:1; San Francisco State University 19:1.

Cal State Long Beach vs. San Francisco State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State Long Beach or San Francisco 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 Francisco State ($10,607 vs. $13,168).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Long Beach are 29.9% lower than at San Francisco State University ($15,612 vs. $22,266).
• San Francisco State University is 8.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State Long Beach (about $600 more per year; $7,950.00 vs. $7,350.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3% higher at San Francisco State than at California State University Long Beach (about $600 more per year; $20,550.00 vs. $19,950.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at San Francisco State University than at California State University Long Beach (77% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Francisco State University students is 10.2% larger than aid received by California State University Long Beach students ($12,996 vs. $11,795).

Cal State Long Beach vs. San Francisco State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University Long Beach (1130) is 100 points higher than at San Francisco State (1030).
• Incoming Cal State Long Beach students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 19 at San Francisco State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Long Beach 1020/1240; San Francisco State University 930/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Long Beach 20/26; San Francisco State University 16/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State Long Beach - Test-free; San Francisco State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State Long Beach Nov 30, 2026; San Francisco State Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Cal State Long Beach students have a 0.39 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at San Francisco State (3.31).
• San Francisco State has a higher acceptance rate (96.4%) than Cal State Long Beach (46.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.7% at Cal State Long Beach vs. 8.6% at San Francisco State.

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

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

• California State University Long Beach's six-year graduation rate (54%) is higher than San Francisco State University's (46%).
• Graduates from San Francisco State University earn a median of about $1,500 more per year than Cal State Long Beach graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,600 vs. $51,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Long Beach graduates have a $2,250 lower median loan debt than San Francisco State graduates ($15,000 vs. $17,250).
• Among borrowers, Cal State Long Beach graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than San Francisco State graduates ($155 vs. $178).
• More Cal State Long Beach graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former San Francisco State students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 63%)

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.