Admit rate has ranged 39%–47% over the last 5 years. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
California State University-Long Beach (CSULB) is a rising star in the CSU system, combining affordability with strong career outcomes—particularly in engineering, business, and the arts. With a 46% acceptance rate and a campus that buzzes with diverse student organizations, it’s a pragmatic choice for students who want a high-value education minutes from the Pacific Ocean. Its graduation rates are climbing fast, and mid-career salaries rival those of pricier private schools.
Admission requirements
Test-blind — scores not considered
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
College-prep program
TOEFL (non-native English)
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
35,924
In-state tuition
$7,350
Out-of-state tuition
$19,950
Location
Long Beach, CA (10 mins from beach)
Acceptance Rate
46%
Notable Programs
Engineering, Supply Chain, Cinematic Arts
Mid-Career Salary
$121,700
6-Year Graduation Rate
82%
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$64,403
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
6.2×
Median debt at graduation
$14,289
Graduation rate
69%
First-year retention
87%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
71%
Pell (lower-income) share
81%
First-generation share
49%
Endowment / student
$3,698
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$85,795
Construction Engineering Technology/Technician$81,175
Biomedical/Medical Engineering$73,949
Computer Engineering$68,499
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering$67,287
Mechanical Engineering
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
5
Per 1,000 students
0.14
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
277
Summer high
78°F
Winter low
47°F
Annual rain
14.7"
Natural-hazard risk
Very High
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
270
Scholarly works
21,753
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Economic mobility
Mobility rate
4.4%
Bottom → top quintile
38%
From bottom quintile
12%
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at California State University-Long Beach?
California State University-Long Beach's acceptance rate is approximately 46% (Long Beach, CA), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
How much does California State University-Long Beach cost?
At California State University-Long Beach, the average net price (after aid) is about $10,440 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend California State University-Long Beach?
California State University-Long Beach enrolls approximately 35,924 undergraduate students.
Where is California State University-Long Beach located?
California State University-Long Beach is located in Long Beach, CA.
Admissions
CSULB is fairly competitive, with a 46% acceptance rate (38,854 admitted from 83,951 applicants in recent cycles). The school doesn’t publish SAT/ACT ranges but emphasizes GPA and completion of California’s A-G coursework. Applications are due by November 30, with a $70 fee. Notably, the university is part of the CSU system’s impaction policy, meaning some majors (like engineering) have higher admission bars than others.
CSULB offers 85+ undergraduate majors across eight colleges, with standout programs in engineering (9% of majors), psychology (8%), and supply chain management (praised for its industry ties). The university also has five doctoral programs, including Ed.D. and engineering tracks. Faculty focus on practical skills—students describe classes as 'relevant' and geared toward career prep. The liberal studies BA and cinematic arts programs are hidden gems, leveraging Long Beach’s creative economy.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
$65,029
Computer Science$62,792
Civil Engineering$60,943
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Opinions split on social vibes: some call campus 'dead,' while others highlight 300+ clubs, Greek life, and beach-adjacent events. The Student Life & Development office actively organizes workshops and cultural gatherings (like Dia de los Muertos celebrations). Long Beach’s downtown—a 10-minute drive—offers bars and music venues, but the commuter-heavy population means weekends can feel quiet. Pro tip: Join a club or the esports team to fast-track friendships.
CSULB graduates outperform their peers: 82% graduate within six years (vs. 53% national average for public schools), and mid-career salaries hit $121,700—thanks partly to strong alumni networks in Southern California. Recent grads earn $38,082 on average (rising to $62,005 by year five). The four-year graduation rate has nearly doubled since 2015, now at 27.5%, with a target of 40%.
Tuition is $7,176/year for in-state students, with total COA around $28,000. 40% of students receive grants averaging $9,931, and Need-based aidFinancial aid awarded based on your family's ability to pay, as measured by forms like the FAFSA, rather than on achievements. packages often hit $11,389. The Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. calculator shows many families pay under $10,440 annually—far below the national average for four-year schools ($20,077).
CSULB punches above its weight: top-tier ROI (graduates earn 36% more than the national median), a beachside location with L.A. job pipelines, and programs like supply chain management that rival private universities. It’s a first-choice school for pragmatic students who want career-ready degrees without drowning in debt. The rising graduation rates signal a campus hitting its stride.
California State University-Long Beach logo · sourceCal State Long Beach | Student Success Center · sourceOur Campus | California State University Long Beach · sourceOur Campus | California State University Long Beach · source
