Cal State Long Beach vs. UIC

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Long Beach is larger than UIC based on total student enrollment (42,003 students vs. 33,906 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Long Beach is located in Long Beach, CA (Large City setting); University of Illinois Chicago is in Chicago, IL (Large City setting).
• California State University Long Beach is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Illinois Chicago is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Long Beach 23:1; University of Illinois Chicago 17:1.

Cal State Long Beach vs. UIC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State Long Beach or UIC? 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 UIC ($10,607 vs. $10,852).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Long Beach are 5.4% lower than at University of Illinois Chicago ($15,612 vs. $16,500).
• University of Illinois Chicago is 95.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State Long Beach (about $6,988 more per year; $14,338.00 vs. $7,350.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 49.8% higher at UIC than at California State University Long Beach (about $9,934 more per year; $29,884.00 vs. $19,950.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Long Beach than at University of Illinois Chicago (76% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Illinois Chicago students is 42.1% larger than aid received by California State University Long Beach students ($16,755 vs. $11,795).

Cal State Long Beach vs. UIC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Illinois Chicago (1240) is 110 points higher than at Cal State Long Beach (1130).
• Incoming UIC students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 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; University of Illinois Chicago 1130/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Long Beach 20/26; University of Illinois Chicago 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State Long Beach - Test-free; UIC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State Long Beach Nov 30, 2026; UIC Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cal State Long Beach students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at UIC (3.41).
• UIC has a higher acceptance rate (77.4%) than Cal State Long Beach (46.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.7% at Cal State Long Beach vs. 21.1% at UIC.

Cal State Long Beach vs. UIC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• The graduation rate at Cal State Long Beach is the same as at University of Illinois Chicago (54% vs. 54%).
• Graduates from University of Illinois Chicago earn a median of about $10,800 more per year than Cal State Long Beach graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,900 vs. $51,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Long Beach graduates have a $3,750 lower median loan debt than UIC graduates ($15,000 vs. $18,750).
• Among borrowers, Cal State Long Beach graduates have an estimated $38 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UIC graduates ($155 vs. $193).
• More Cal State Long Beach graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UIC students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 68%)

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.