Cal State Long Beach vs. UNLV

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Long Beach is larger than UNLV based on total student enrollment (42,003 students vs. 32,911 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Long Beach is located in Long Beach, CA (Large City setting); University of Nevada Las Vegas is in Las Vegas, NV (Midsize City setting).
• California State University Long Beach is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Nevada Las Vegas is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Long Beach 23:1; University of Nevada Las Vegas 19:1.

Cal State Long Beach vs. UNLV Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State Long Beach or UNLV? 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 UNLV ($10,607 vs. $11,553).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Nevada Las Vegas are 19.1% lower than at California State University Long Beach ($12,628 vs. $15,612).
• University of Nevada Las Vegas is 32.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State Long Beach (about $2,398 more per year; $9,748.00 vs. $7,350.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 37.4% higher at UNLV than at California State University Long Beach (about $7,461 more per year; $27,411.00 vs. $19,950.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Nevada Las Vegas than at California State University Long Beach (90% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Long Beach students is 52.8% larger than aid received by University of Nevada Las Vegas students ($11,795 vs. $7,717).

Cal State Long Beach vs. UNLV Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University Long Beach (1130) is the same as at UNLV (1130).
• Incoming Cal State Long Beach students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at UNLV).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Long Beach 1020/1240; University of Nevada Las Vegas 1010/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Long Beach 20/26; University of Nevada Las Vegas 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State Long Beach - Test-free; UNLV - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State Long Beach Nov 30, 2026; UNLV Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cal State Long Beach students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at UNLV (3.4).
• UNLV has a higher acceptance rate (96.2%) than Cal State Long Beach (46.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.7% at Cal State Long Beach vs. 36.2% at UNLV.

Cal State Long Beach vs. UNLV Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal State Long Beach and UNLV? 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 University of Nevada Las Vegas's (40%).
• Graduates from California State University Long Beach earn a median of about $3,500 more per year than UNLV graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,100 vs. $47,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Long Beach graduates have a $4,018 lower median loan debt than UNLV graduates ($15,000 vs. $19,018).
• Among borrowers, Cal State Long Beach graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNLV graduates ($155 vs. $196).
• More Cal State Long Beach graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNLV students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 52%)

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.