Cal State Long Beach vs. UC Berkeley

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Berkeley is larger than Cal State Long Beach based on total student enrollment (45,882 students vs. 42,003 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cal State Long Beach vs. UC Berkeley Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State Long Beach or UC Berkeley? 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 UC Berkeley ($10,607 vs. $16,538).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Long Beach are 34.3% lower than at University of California Berkeley ($15,612 vs. $23,750).
• University of California Berkeley is 122.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State Long Beach (about $8,997 more per year; $16,347.00 vs. $7,350.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 153.4% higher at UC Berkeley than at California State University Long Beach (about $30,597 more per year; $50,547.00 vs. $19,950.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Long Beach than at University of California Berkeley (76% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Berkeley students is 151% larger than aid received by California State University Long Beach students ($29,608 vs. $11,795).

Cal State Long Beach vs. UC Berkeley Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Berkeley (1420) is 290 points higher than at Cal State Long Beach (1130).
• Incoming UC Berkeley students have a 9 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 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; University of California Berkeley 1310/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Long Beach 20/26; University of California Berkeley 30/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State Long Beach - Test-free; UC Berkeley - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State Long Beach Nov 30, 2026; UC Berkeley Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC Berkeley students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at Cal State Long Beach (3.7).
• Cal State Long Beach has a higher acceptance rate (46.3%) than UC Berkeley (11%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.7% at Cal State Long Beach vs. 46% at UC Berkeley.

Cal State Long Beach vs. UC Berkeley Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• University of California Berkeley's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than California State University Long Beach's (54%).
• Graduates from University of California Berkeley earn a median of about $23,600 more per year than Cal State Long Beach graduates about ten years after starting college ($74,700 vs. $51,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Berkeley graduates have a $800 lower median loan debt than Cal State Long Beach graduates ($14,200 vs. $15,000).
• Among borrowers, UC Berkeley graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cal State Long Beach graduates ($146 vs. $155).
• More UC Berkeley graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cal State Long Beach students, three years after graduation. (79% 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.