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#11 Best Public Universities in California

Cal State Long Beach Admission Requirements

Long Beach, California

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Your chances of getting into California State University Long Beach

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

40%
Admission Difficulty for California State University Long Beach
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Average 
Applicant Competition High 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Cal State Long Beach is 40%.  Its admission rate is the 22nd lowest in California and the 154th lowest the nation.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Cal State Long Beach and can you get accepted?

Cal State Long Beach is a highly competitive school to get into. You have a moderate chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 29,851 out of the 74,718 who applied were admitted.

California State University Long Beach typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.7. 18% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into Cal State Long Beach?

40% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to California State University Long Beach you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.7 or better
  • Earn A- grades in high school
  • Score 1130 on the SAT
  • Score 23 on the ACT

Cal State Long Beach GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.7

Typical High School Grades 

A-

What GPA do you need to get into California State University Long Beach?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Cal State Long Beach are to have around a 3.7 high school GPA. You are required to have very good grades in high school.

Even with a competitive GPA, admission to Cal State Long Beach will be challenging as the school denies more applicants than it admits.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Cal State Long Beach is 3.7 on the 4.0 scale. 25% of students who get in have perfect 4.0 GPA's in high school. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn A- letter grades and regularly score around 90-92 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #27 in California for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since Cal State Long Beach is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.7 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted California State University Long Beach students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 25.0% Good
3.75 to 3.99 25.6% Avg
3.50 to 3.74 22.1% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 14.5% Reach
3.00 to 3.24 8.9% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 3.7% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 0.2% Low
1.00 to 1.99 0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

Cal State Long Beach SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required by California State University Long Beach. The school has a test blind policy.

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1020-1240

Applicants Submitting SAT 

95%
SAT Scores for California State University Long Beach
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 510
Math 25th Percentile 510
Composite 25th Percentile 1020
SAT Scores for California State University Long Beach
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 620
Math 75th Percentile 620
Composite 75th Percentile 1240
Average SAT Score 1130

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to California State University Long Beach?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Cal State Long Beach is 1130 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1020-1240. Students who get into California State University Long Beach score in the top 57 percent of all SAT test takers..  Cal State Long Beach ranks #40 in the state of California for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1130 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Cal State Long Beach regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1020 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1020, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 910, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

California State University Long Beach is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not considered for admission, even if submitted (test blind)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1130 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1130, you have around a 40% chance of being admitted. A 1240 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 56% chance of getting in.

California State University Long Beach admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1240 and Above Good >56%
1130 to 1240 Avg + 40%-56%
1020 to 1130 Avg - 26%-40%
910 to 1020 Reach 16%-26%
Less than 910 Low <16%
Calculate My Chances 

Cal State Long Beach ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

20-26 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

27%
ACT Scores for California State University Long Beach
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 19
Math 25th Percentile 18
Composite 25th Percentile 20
ACT Scores for California State University Long Beach
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 26
Math 75th Percentile 26
Composite 75th Percentile 26
Average ACT Score 23

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Cal State Long Beach?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Cal State Long Beach is 23, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 20 and 26.  The school ranks #40 in California for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 23. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 20 and score in the score in the top 49 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 17.

27 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to California State University Long Beach.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as California State University Long Beach is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not considered for admission, even if submitted (test blind)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into Cal State Long Beach for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 23 score has around 40% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 56% with a 26 ACT score.

California State University Long Beach admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
26 and Above Good >56%
23 to 26 Avg + 40%-56%
20 to 23 Avg - 26%-40%
17 to 20 Reach 16%-26%
Less than 17 Low <16%
Calculate My Chances 

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

California State University Long Beach admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 44,637 30,081 74,718
Accepted 19,113 10,738 29,851
Acceptance Rate 43% 36% 40%
Enrolled 3,272 2,093 5,365
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 17% 19% 18%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2025 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Nov 30, 2024

Days left to Apply

None

The application deadline for Fall 2025 has passed. Applications were due on Nov 30, 2024.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to California State University Long Beach is $70.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to California State University Long Beach and what student information is used for admission decisions?

California State University Long Beach Application Requirements
Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at California State University Long Beach
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Cal State Long Beach is highly competitive, you have a moderate chance of acceptance depending on your GPA and test scores. If you earn at least a 3.7 GPA, you will have a fair shot at getting in. Additionally, you should score a 1130 on the SAT or 23 on the ACT to be competitive. If you can score a 1240 SAT you will be a very strong applicant.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to California State University Long Beach often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=110583 IPEDS survey data for California State University Long Beach.

Last updated February 24, 2024