Cal State Long Beach vs. USC

Comparable Facts

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

University of Southern California is larger than Cal State Long Beach based on total student enrollment (46,566 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 Southern California is in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting).
• California State University Long Beach is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Southern California is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Long Beach 23:1; University of Southern California 9:1.

Cal State Long Beach vs. USC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State Long Beach or USC? 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 USC ($10,607 vs. $43,412).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Long Beach are 21.7% lower than at University of Southern California ($15,612 vs. $19,931).
• University of Southern California is 880.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State Long Beach (about $64,747 more per year; $72,097.00 vs. $7,350.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 261.4% higher at USC than at California State University Long Beach (about $52,147 more per year; $72,097.00 vs. $19,950.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Long Beach than at University of Southern California (76% vs. 70%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Southern California students is 297.6% larger than aid received by California State University Long Beach students ($46,897 vs. $11,795).

Cal State Long Beach vs. USC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Southern California (1500) is 370 points higher than at Cal State Long Beach (1130).
• Incoming USC students have a 10 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 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 Southern California 1450/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Long Beach 20/26; University of Southern California 32/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State Long Beach - Test-free; USC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State Long Beach Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman USC students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at Cal State Long Beach (3.7).
• Cal State Long Beach has a higher acceptance rate (46.3%) than USC (9.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.7% at Cal State Long Beach vs. 43.3% at USC.

Cal State Long Beach vs. USC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal State Long Beach and USC? 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 Southern California's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than California State University Long Beach's (54%).
• Graduates from University of Southern California earn a median of about $34,400 more per year than Cal State Long Beach graduates about ten years after starting college ($85,500 vs. $51,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Long Beach graduates have a $7,375 lower median loan debt than USC graduates ($15,000 vs. $22,375).
• Among borrowers, Cal State Long Beach graduates have an estimated $76 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USC graduates ($155 vs. $231).
• More USC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cal State Long Beach students, three years after graduation. (81% 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.