Cal State Long Beach vs. USF

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Long Beach is larger than USF based on total student enrollment (42,003 students vs. 8,913 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Long Beach is located in Long Beach, CA (Large City setting); University of San Francisco is in San Francisco, CA (Large City setting).
• California State University Long Beach is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of San Francisco is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Long Beach 23:1; University of San Francisco 11:1.

Cal State Long Beach vs. USF Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State Long Beach or USF? 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 USF ($10,607 vs. $45,443).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Long Beach are 21% lower than at University of San Francisco ($15,612 vs. $19,764).
• University of San Francisco is 723% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State Long Beach (about $53,142 more per year; $60,492.00 vs. $7,350.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 203.2% higher at USF than at California State University Long Beach (about $40,542 more per year; $60,492.00 vs. $19,950.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of San Francisco than at California State University Long Beach (95% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of San Francisco students is 194.4% larger than aid received by California State University Long Beach students ($34,723 vs. $11,795).

Cal State Long Beach vs. USF Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of San Francisco (1290) is 160 points higher than at Cal State Long Beach (1130).
• Incoming USF students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 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 San Francisco 1190/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Long Beach 20/26; University of San Francisco 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State Long Beach - Test-free; USF - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State Long Beach Nov 30, 2026; USF Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cal State Long Beach students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at USF (3.57).
• USF has a higher acceptance rate (61.7%) than Cal State Long Beach (46.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.7% at Cal State Long Beach vs. 6% at USF.

Cal State Long Beach vs. USF Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• University of San Francisco's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than California State University Long Beach's (54%).
• Graduates from University of San Francisco earn a median of about $19,300 more per year than Cal State Long Beach graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,400 vs. $51,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Long Beach graduates have a $10,000 lower median loan debt than USF graduates ($15,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Cal State Long Beach graduates have an estimated $103 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USF graduates ($155 vs. $258).
• More USF graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cal State Long Beach students, three years after graduation. (73% 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.