Cal State Long Beach vs. ECU

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Long Beach in Long Beach, CA with East Carolina University in Greenville, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Long Beach is larger than ECU based on total student enrollment (42,003 students vs. 26,940 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Long Beach is located in Long Beach, CA (Large City setting); East Carolina University is in Greenville, NC (Small City setting).
• California State University Long Beach is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. East Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Long Beach 23:1; East Carolina University 17:1.

Cal State Long Beach vs. ECU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State Long Beach or ECU? 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 ECU ($10,607 vs. $13,755).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Carolina University are 26.1% lower than at California State University Long Beach ($11,541 vs. $15,612).
• East Carolina University is 0.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State Long Beach (about $11 more per year; $7,361.00 vs. $7,350.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.5% higher at ECU than at California State University Long Beach (about $3,688 more per year; $23,638.00 vs. $19,950.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Long Beach than at East Carolina University (76% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Long Beach students is 20.7% larger than aid received by East Carolina University students ($11,795 vs. $9,776).

Cal State Long Beach vs. ECU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at East Carolina University (1160) is 30 points higher than at Cal State Long Beach (1130).
• Incoming Cal State Long Beach students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 23) as students at ECU (23).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Long Beach 1020/1240; East Carolina University 1070/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Long Beach 20/26; East Carolina University 21/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State Long Beach - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind); ECU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State Long Beach Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Cal State Long Beach students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at ECU (3.33).
• ECU has a higher acceptance rate (89.2%) than Cal State Long Beach (46.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.7% at Cal State Long Beach vs. 17.1% at ECU.

Cal State Long Beach vs. ECU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• East Carolina University's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than California State University Long Beach's (54%).
• Graduates from California State University Long Beach earn a median of about $7,200 more per year than ECU graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,100 vs. $43,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Long Beach graduates have a $9,788 lower median loan debt than ECU graduates ($15,000 vs. $24,788).
• Among borrowers, Cal State Long Beach graduates have an estimated $101 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ECU graduates ($155 vs. $256).
• More Cal State Long Beach graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ECU students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 63%)

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.