Cal State Long Beach vs. SCU

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Long Beach is larger than SCU based on total student enrollment (42,003 students vs. 9,728 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Long Beach is located in Long Beach, CA (Large City setting); Santa Clara University is in Santa Clara, CA (Midsize City setting).
• California State University Long Beach is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Santa Clara University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Long Beach 23:1; Santa Clara University 11:1.

Cal State Long Beach vs. SCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State Long Beach or SCU? 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 SCU ($10,607 vs. $53,883).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Long Beach are 21.5% lower than at Santa Clara University ($15,612 vs. $19,893).
• Santa Clara University is 733.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State Long Beach (about $53,943 more per year; $61,293.00 vs. $7,350.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 207.2% higher at SCU than at California State University Long Beach (about $41,343 more per year; $61,293.00 vs. $19,950.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Long Beach than at Santa Clara University (76% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Santa Clara University students is 140.5% larger than aid received by California State University Long Beach students ($28,368 vs. $11,795).

Cal State Long Beach vs. SCU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Santa Clara University (1420) is 290 points higher than at Cal State Long Beach (1130).
• Incoming SCU students have a 9 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 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; Santa Clara University 1350/1490.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Long Beach 20/26; Santa Clara University 31/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State Long Beach - Test-free; SCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State Long Beach Nov 30, 2026; SCU Jan 7, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cal State Long Beach students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at SCU (3.67).
• SCU has a higher acceptance rate (48%) than Cal State Long Beach (46.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.7% at Cal State Long Beach vs. 17.7% at SCU.

Cal State Long Beach vs. SCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal State Long Beach and SCU? 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).

• Santa Clara University's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than California State University Long Beach's (54%).
• Graduates from Santa Clara University earn a median of about $30,800 more per year than Cal State Long Beach graduates about ten years after starting college ($81,900 vs. $51,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Long Beach graduates have a $6,500 lower median loan debt than SCU graduates ($15,000 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Cal State Long Beach graduates have an estimated $67 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SCU graduates ($155 vs. $222).
• More SCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cal State Long Beach students, three years after graduation. (84% 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.