Cal State Long Beach vs. Westmont College

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Long Beach is larger than Westmont College based on total student enrollment (42,003 students vs. 1,310 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Long Beach is located in Long Beach, CA (Large City setting); Westmont College is in Santa Barbara, CA (Midsize Suburban setting).
• California State University Long Beach is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Westmont College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Long Beach 23:1; Westmont College 10:1.

Cal State Long Beach vs. Westmont College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State Long Beach or Westmont College? 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 Westmont College ($10,607 vs. $32,172).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Long Beach are 7.9% lower than at Westmont College ($15,612 vs. $16,960).
• Westmont College is 629% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State Long Beach (about $46,234 more per year; $53,584.00 vs. $7,350.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 168.6% higher at Westmont College than at California State University Long Beach (about $33,634 more per year; $53,584.00 vs. $19,950.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Westmont College than at California State University Long Beach (100% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Westmont College students is 230.3% larger than aid received by California State University Long Beach students ($38,956 vs. $11,795).

Cal State Long Beach vs. Westmont College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Westmont College (1350) is 220 points higher than at Cal State Long Beach (1130).
• Incoming Westmont College 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; Westmont College 1240/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Long Beach 20/26; Westmont College 25/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State Long Beach - Test-free; Westmont College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State Long Beach Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Cal State Long Beach students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Westmont College (3.59).
• Westmont College has a higher acceptance rate (77%) than Cal State Long Beach (46.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.7% at Cal State Long Beach vs. 15.9% at Westmont College.

Cal State Long Beach vs. Westmont College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Westmont College's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than California State University Long Beach's (54%).
• Graduates from Westmont College earn a median of about $3,500 more per year than Cal State Long Beach graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,600 vs. $51,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Long Beach graduates have a $10,123 lower median loan debt than Westmont College graduates ($15,000 vs. $25,123).
• Among borrowers, Cal State Long Beach graduates have an estimated $104 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Westmont College graduates ($155 vs. $259).
• More Westmont College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cal State Long Beach students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.