Cal State Long Beach vs. Simpson University

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Long Beach is larger than Simpson University based on total student enrollment (42,003 students vs. 992 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Long Beach is located in Long Beach, CA (Large City setting); Simpson University is in Redding, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• California State University Long Beach is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Simpson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Long Beach 23:1; Simpson University 17:1.

Cal State Long Beach vs. Simpson University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State Long Beach or Simpson University? 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 Simpson University ($10,607 vs. $28,653).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Simpson University are 23.8% lower than at California State University Long Beach ($11,900 vs. $15,612).
• Simpson University is 440.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State Long Beach (about $32,358 more per year; $39,708.00 vs. $7,350.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 99% higher at Simpson University than at California State University Long Beach (about $19,758 more per year; $39,708.00 vs. $19,950.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Simpson University than at California State University Long Beach (100% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Simpson University students is 119.9% larger than aid received by California State University Long Beach students ($25,937 vs. $11,795).

Cal State Long Beach vs. Simpson University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University Long Beach (1130) is 60 points higher than at Simpson University (1070).
• Incoming Simpson University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 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; Simpson University 960/1185.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Long Beach 20/26; Simpson University 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State Long Beach - Test-free; Simpson University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State Long Beach Nov 30, 2026; Simpson University Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cal State Long Beach students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Simpson University (3.4).
• Simpson University has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than Cal State Long Beach (46.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.7% at Cal State Long Beach vs. 24.2% at Simpson University.

Cal State Long Beach vs. Simpson University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal State Long Beach and Simpson University? 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 Simpson University's (43%).
• Graduates from California State University Long Beach earn a median of about $12,900 more per year than Simpson University graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,100 vs. $38,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Long Beach graduates have a $1,668 lower median loan debt than Simpson University graduates ($15,000 vs. $16,668).
• Among borrowers, Cal State Long Beach graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Simpson University graduates ($155 vs. $172).
• More Cal State Long Beach graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Simpson University students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 67%)

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.