Cal State Long Beach vs. UT Arlington

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Long Beach in Long Beach, CA with The University of Texas at Arlington in Arlington, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The University of Texas at Arlington is larger than Cal State Long Beach based on total student enrollment (44,956 students vs. 42,003 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Long Beach is located in Long Beach, CA (Large City setting); The University of Texas at Arlington is in Arlington, TX (Large City setting).
• California State University Long Beach is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Texas at Arlington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Long Beach 23:1; The University of Texas at Arlington 23:1.

Cal State Long Beach vs. UT Arlington Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State Long Beach or UT Arlington? 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 UT Arlington ($10,607 vs. $13,755).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The University of Texas at Arlington are 28.1% lower than at California State University Long Beach ($11,228 vs. $15,612).
• The University of Texas at Arlington is 62.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State Long Beach (about $4,600 more per year; $11,950.00 vs. $7,350.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 48.3% higher at UT Arlington than at California State University Long Beach (about $9,632 more per year; $29,582.00 vs. $19,950.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Texas at Arlington than at California State University Long Beach (88% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Texas at Arlington students is 2.8% larger than aid received by California State University Long Beach students ($12,127 vs. $11,795).

Cal State Long Beach vs. UT Arlington Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University Long Beach (1130) is the same as at UT Arlington (1130).
• Incoming Cal State Long Beach students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 23) as students at UT Arlington (23).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Long Beach 1020/1240; The University of Texas at Arlington 1010/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Long Beach 20/26; The University of Texas at Arlington 19/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State Long Beach - Test-free; UT Arlington - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State Long Beach Nov 30, 2026; UT Arlington Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cal State Long Beach students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at UT Arlington (3.43).
• UT Arlington has a higher acceptance rate (79.9%) than Cal State Long Beach (46.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.7% at Cal State Long Beach vs. 26.4% at UT Arlington.

Cal State Long Beach vs. UT Arlington Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal State Long Beach and UT Arlington? 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 The University of Texas at Arlington's (40%).
• Graduates from The University of Texas at Arlington earn a median of about $600 more per year than Cal State Long Beach graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,700 vs. $51,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Long Beach graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than UT Arlington graduates ($15,000 vs. $18,000).
• Among borrowers, Cal State Long Beach graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UT Arlington graduates ($155 vs. $186).
• More Cal State Long Beach graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UT Arlington students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 56%)

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.