University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. Cal State Long Beach

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Long Beach is larger than University of Alabama at Birmingham based on total student enrollment (42,003 students vs. 20,905 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Alabama at Birmingham is located in Birmingham, AL (Midsize City setting); California State University Long Beach is in Long Beach, CA (Large City setting).
• University of Alabama at Birmingham is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. California State University Long Beach is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Alabama at Birmingham 18:1; California State University Long Beach 23:1.

University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. Cal State Long Beach Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of Alabama at Birmingham or Cal State Long Beach? 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 University of Alabama at Birmingham ($10,607 vs. $17,997).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Alabama at Birmingham are 9.2% lower than at California State University Long Beach ($14,170 vs. $15,612).
• University of Alabama at Birmingham is 23.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State Long Beach (about $1,748 more per year; $9,098.00 vs. $7,350.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.1% higher at University of Alabama at Birmingham than at California State University Long Beach (about $2,612 more per year; $22,562.00 vs. $19,950.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Alabama at Birmingham 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 7% larger than aid received by University of Alabama at Birmingham students ($11,795 vs. $11,025).

University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. Cal State Long Beach Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of Alabama at Birmingham or Cal State Long Beach? 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 Cal State Long Beach and University of Alabama at Birmingham.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Alabama at Birmingham (1330) is 200 points higher than at Cal State Long Beach (1130).
• Incoming University of Alabama at Birmingham students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 23 at Cal State Long Beach).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Alabama at Birmingham 1210/1450; California State University Long Beach 1020/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Alabama at Birmingham 23/30; California State University Long Beach 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of Alabama at Birmingham - Test optional; Cal State Long Beach - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Alabama at Birmingham Jun 1, 2027; Cal State Long Beach Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman University of Alabama at Birmingham students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at Cal State Long Beach (3.7).
• University of Alabama at Birmingham has a higher acceptance rate (88.2%) than Cal State Long Beach (46.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.1% at University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. 16.7% at Cal State Long Beach.

University of Alabama at Birmingham vs. Cal State Long Beach Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of Alabama at Birmingham and Cal State Long Beach? 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 Alabama at Birmingham's (45%).
• Graduates from California State University Long Beach earn a median of about $4,700 more per year than University of Alabama at Birmingham graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,100 vs. $46,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Long Beach graduates have a $6,500 lower median loan debt than University of Alabama at Birmingham graduates ($15,000 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, Cal State Long Beach graduates have an estimated $67 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Alabama at Birmingham graduates ($155 vs. $222).
• More Cal State Long Beach graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Alabama at Birmingham 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.