Cal State Long Beach vs. SCI-Arc

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Long Beach in Long Beach, CA with Southern California Institute of Architecture in Los Angeles, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Long Beach is larger than SCI-Arc based on total student enrollment (42,003 students vs. 418 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Long Beach is located in Long Beach, CA (Large City setting); Southern California Institute of Architecture is in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting).
• California State University Long Beach is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern California Institute of Architecture is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Long Beach 23:1; Southern California Institute of Architecture 9:1.

Cal State Long Beach vs. SCI-Arc Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State Long Beach or SCI-Arc? 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 SCI-Arc ($10,607 vs. $28,985).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern California Institute of Architecture are 12.9% lower than at California State University Long Beach ($13,600 vs. $15,612).
• Southern California Institute of Architecture is 664.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State Long Beach (about $48,812 more per year; $56,162.00 vs. $7,350.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 181.5% higher at SCI-Arc than at California State University Long Beach (about $36,212 more per year; $56,162.00 vs. $19,950.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Long Beach than at Southern California Institute of Architecture (76% vs. 26%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern California Institute of Architecture students is 261.4% larger than aid received by California State University Long Beach students ($42,627 vs. $11,795).

Cal State Long Beach vs. SCI-Arc Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University Long Beach (1130) is the same as at SCI-Arc (1130).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Long Beach 1020/1240; Southern California Institute of Architecture 1020/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Long Beach 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State Long Beach - Test-free; SCI-Arc - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State Long Beach Nov 30, 2026; SCI-Arc Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cal State Long Beach students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at SCI-Arc (3.5).
• SCI-Arc has a higher acceptance rate (76.6%) than Cal State Long Beach (46.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.7% at Cal State Long Beach vs. 7% at SCI-Arc.

Cal State Long Beach vs. SCI-Arc Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal State Long Beach and SCI-Arc? 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).

• Southern California Institute of Architecture's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than California State University Long Beach's (54%).
• Graduates from California State University Long Beach earn a median of about $4,700 more per year than SCI-Arc graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,100 vs. $46,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Long Beach graduates have a $27,750 lower median loan debt than SCI-Arc graduates ($15,000 vs. $42,750).
• Among borrowers, Cal State Long Beach graduates have an estimated $287 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SCI-Arc graduates ($155 vs. $442).
• More Cal State Long Beach graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SCI-Arc students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 62%)

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.