Cal State Long Beach vs. Stanford

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Long Beach is larger than Stanford based on total student enrollment (42,003 students vs. 18,625 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Long Beach is located in Long Beach, CA (Large City setting); Stanford University is in Stanford, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• California State University Long Beach is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Stanford University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Long Beach 23:1; Stanford University 6:1.

Cal State Long Beach vs. Stanford Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State Long Beach or Stanford? 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 Stanford ($10,607 vs. $25,078).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Long Beach are 26.8% lower than at Stanford University ($15,612 vs. $21,315).
• Stanford University is 796.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State Long Beach (about $58,560 more per year; $65,910.00 vs. $7,350.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 230.4% higher at Stanford than at California State University Long Beach (about $45,960 more per year; $65,910.00 vs. $19,950.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Long Beach than at Stanford University (76% vs. 61%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Stanford University students is 432% larger than aid received by California State University Long Beach students ($62,755 vs. $11,795).

Cal State Long Beach vs. Stanford Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Stanford University (1550) is 420 points higher than at Cal State Long Beach (1130).
• Incoming Stanford students have a 11 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 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; Stanford University 1510/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Long Beach 20/26; Stanford University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State Long Beach - Test-free; Stanford - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State Long Beach Nov 30, 2026; Stanford Jan 2, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Stanford students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at Cal State Long Beach (3.7).
• Cal State Long Beach has a higher acceptance rate (46.3%) than Stanford (3.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.7% at Cal State Long Beach vs. 81.9% at Stanford.

Cal State Long Beach vs. Stanford Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Stanford University's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than California State University Long Beach's (54%).
• Graduates from Stanford University earn a median of about $71,800 more per year than Cal State Long Beach graduates about ten years after starting college ($122,900 vs. $51,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Stanford University graduates have a $2,525 lower median loan debt than Cal State Long Beach graduates ($12,475 vs. $15,000).
• Among borrowers, Stanford graduates have an estimated $27 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cal State Long Beach graduates ($128 vs. $155).
• More Stanford graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cal State Long Beach students, three years after graduation. (88% 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.