CSU vs. Cal State Long Beach

California State University Chico and California State University Long Beach side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

California State University Chico
California State University Long Beach

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Cal State Long Beach (46.3% admitted vs 92.7%). Typical SAT 1130 vs 1070.
  • Cheaper after aid: Cal State Long Beach. Average net price is $10,607 vs $14,630 at CSU.
  • Graduation: CSU 59% vs Cal State Long Beach 54%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: CSU $52,400 vs Cal State Long Beach $51,100 (median).
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Key differences

California State University Chico California State University Long Beach
Acceptance rate
Cal State Long Beach more selective
CSU92.7%
Cal State Long Beach46.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Cal State Long Beach higher
CSU970-1170
Cal State Long Beach1020-1240
Average net price
Cal State Long Beach $4,023 less
CSU$14,630
Cal State Long Beach$10,607
In-state tuition
Cal State Long Beach $1,122 less
CSU$8,472
Cal State Long Beach$7,350
Out-of-state tuition
Cal State Long Beach $1,122 less
CSU$21,072
Cal State Long Beach$19,950
Graduation rate
CSU +5 pts
CSU59%
Cal State Long Beach54%
Median earnings (10 years)
CSU +$1,300
CSU$52,400
Cal State Long Beach$51,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • CSU 23,322
  • Cal State Long Beach 83,967
  • Admitted
  • CSU 21,623
  • Cal State Long Beach 38,854
  • Acceptance rate
  • CSU 92.7%
  • Cal State Long Beach 46.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • CSU 10.2%
  • Cal State Long Beach 16.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • CSU 1070
  • Cal State Long Beach 1130
  • Typical ACT score
  • CSU 21
  • Cal State Long Beach 23
  • Average high school GPA
  • CSU 3.37
  • Cal State Long Beach 3.7
  • Typical high school grades
  • CSU B+
  • Cal State Long Beach A-
  • Admissions standards
  • CSU Very Easy
  • Cal State Long Beach Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • CSU
  • Cal State Long Beach Low
  • SAT range
  • CSU 970-1170
  • Cal State Long Beach 1020-1240
  • ACT range
  • CSU 18-24
  • Cal State Long Beach 20-26
  • Submit test scores
  • CSU Test-free
  • Cal State Long Beach Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • CSU Dec 15, 2026
  • Cal State Long Beach Nov 30, 2026
  • Tuition (in state)
  • CSU $8,472
  • Cal State Long Beach $7,350
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • CSU $21,072
  • Cal State Long Beach $19,950
  • Room & board
  • CSU $16,500
  • Cal State Long Beach $15,612
  • Average net price
  • CSU $14,630
  • Cal State Long Beach $10,607
  • Average grant aid
  • CSU $11,509
  • Cal State Long Beach $11,795
  • % receiving grant aid
  • CSU 66%
  • Cal State Long Beach 76%
  • Graduation rate
  • CSU 59%
  • Cal State Long Beach 54%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • CSU $52,400
  • Cal State Long Beach $51,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • CSU 70%
  • Cal State Long Beach 69%
  • Median student loan debt
  • CSU $17,000
  • Cal State Long Beach $15,000
  • Median loan payment
  • CSU $175
  • Cal State Long Beach $155
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • CSU 23:1
  • Cal State Long Beach 23:1
  • Popular majors
  • CSU
    • Business (17%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
  • Cal State Long Beach
    • Business (20%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • English and Literature (9%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
    • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Location
  • CSU Chico, CA
  • Cal State Long Beach Long Beach, CA
  • Setting
  • CSU Small City
  • Cal State Long Beach Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • CSU 15,257
  • Cal State Long Beach 42,003
  • Type
  • CSU Public 4 Year
  • Cal State Long Beach Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • CSU #675
  • Cal State Long Beach #523

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Chico in Chico, CA with California State University Long Beach in Long Beach, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

California State University Long Beach is larger than CSU based on total student enrollment (42,003 students vs. 15,257 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • California State University Chico is located in Chico, CA (Small City setting); California State University Long Beach is in Long Beach, CA (Large City setting).
  • California State University Chico 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: California State University Chico 23:1; California State University Long Beach 23:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Long Beach are 5.4% lower than at California State University Chico ($15,612 vs. $16,500).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 5.6% higher at CSU than at California State University Long Beach (about $1,122 more per year; $21,072 vs. $19,950).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Long Beach than at California State University Chico (76% vs. 66%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Long Beach students is 2.5% larger than aid received by California State University Chico students ($11,795 vs. $11,509).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Cal State Long Beach than at CSU (23 vs. 21, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both CSU and Cal State Long Beach.
  • Typical fall application deadline: CSU Dec 15, 2026; Cal State Long Beach Nov 30, 2026.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Cal State Long Beach average a 3.7 high school GPA, 0.33 higher than at CSU (3.37).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.2% at CSU vs. 16.7% at Cal State Long Beach.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Long Beach graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than CSU graduates ($15,000 vs. $17,000).
  • Among borrowers, Cal State Long Beach graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU graduates ($155 vs. $175).
  • More CSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cal State Long Beach students, three years after graduation (70% vs. 69%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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