Cal State Long Beach vs. San Jose State

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Long Beach is larger than San Jose State based on total student enrollment (42,003 students vs. 37,661 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Long Beach is located in Long Beach, CA (Large City setting); San Jose State University is in San Jose, CA (Large City setting).
• California State University Long Beach is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. San Jose State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Long Beach 23:1; San Jose State University 25:1.

Cal State Long Beach vs. San Jose State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State Long Beach or San Jose 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 Jose State ($10,607 vs. $13,892).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Long Beach are 25.6% lower than at San Jose State University ($15,612 vs. $20,971).
• San Jose State University is 14.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State Long Beach (about $1,060 more per year; $8,410.00 vs. $7,350.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.3% higher at San Jose State than at California State University Long Beach (about $1,060 more per year; $21,010.00 vs. $19,950.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Long Beach than at San Jose State University (76% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Jose State University students is 4.7% larger than aid received by California State University Long Beach students ($12,353 vs. $11,795).

Cal State Long Beach vs. San Jose State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University Long Beach (1130) is the same as at San Jose State (1130).
• Incoming Cal State Long Beach students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at San Jose State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Long Beach 1020/1240; San Jose State University 1010/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Long Beach 20/26; San Jose State University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State Long Beach - Test-free; San Jose State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State Long Beach Nov 30, 2026; San Jose State Dec 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Cal State Long Beach students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at San Jose State (3.35).
• San Jose State has a higher acceptance rate (84.6%) than Cal State Long Beach (46.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.7% at Cal State Long Beach vs. 14.7% at San Jose State.

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

How do outcomes compare for Cal State Long Beach and San Jose 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 Jose State University's (46%).
• Graduates from San Jose State University earn a median of about $8,800 more per year than Cal State Long Beach graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,900 vs. $51,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Jose State University and Cal State Long Beach graduates have the same median loan debt ($15,000 vs. $15,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, San Jose State University and Cal State Long Beach graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($155 vs. $155).
• More San Jose State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cal State Long Beach students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 69%)

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.