California State University-Long Beach: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Long Beach, California · Public · Selective · CDS 2024-2025
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California State University-Long Beach is a public university in Long Beach, California that admits about 46% of applicants, making it a selective school. The average family pays about $10,440 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Business Administration, Management and Operations, Psychology, General and Fine and Studio Arts, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 69% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 1.6 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
California State University-Long Beach is a public institution located in Long Beach, California with a selective admissions profile. For the most recent reporting cycle, California State University-Long Beach admits between a quarter and half of applicants, with an overall admission rate of 46%. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $10,440 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for California State University-Long Beach?
70% of enrolled students at California State University-Long Beach had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, and the average was 3.67, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.
What does California State University-Long Beach weight in admissions?
California State University-Long Beach reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2024-2025). What the weights mean
- • Class rank
- • Academic GPA
SAT and ACT scores California State University-Long Beach typically admits
Many applicants to schools in this tier submit test scores, though the policy varies by year — check the latest test-optional status before deciding.
- • Test-blind: California State University-Long Beach does not consider SAT or ACT scores in admission decisions, even if submitted.
- • Policy detail: Not considered
How much does California State University-Long Beach actually cost?
Published tuition is $7,350 for in-state students and $19,950 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $15,612 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $10,440 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 50% of students receive Pell Grants.
| In-state tuition | $6,450 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $17,994 |
| Room and board | $16,666 |
| Average net price (after aid) | $10,440 |
| Application fee | $70 (waivers available) |
Application deadlines and early decision data for California State University-Long Beach
| Regular deadline | 11/30 |
| Reply deadline | 5/1 |
| Rolling admissions | Yes |
Will my child graduate from California State University-Long Beach?
These predict outcomes at California State University-Long Beach better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at California State University-Long Beach
The most popular undergraduate programs at California State University-Long Beach, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Business Administration, Management and Operations, Psychology, General and Fine and Studio Arts. Across all programs, California State University-Long Beach confers roughly 4,211 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Business Administration, Management and Operations program report a median income of about $66,801 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 1,566 | $66,801 |
| Psychology, General | 528 | $55,066 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | 415 | $42,341 |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General | 403 | $47,210 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | 370 | — |
| Communication and Media Studies | 339 | $58,497 |
| Sociology | 306 | $53,402 |
| Biology, General | 284 | $65,092 |
Is California State University-Long Beach safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), California State University-Long Beach disclosed 57 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 1.6 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 4 violent offenses and 5 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
What is campus life like at California State University-Long Beach?
About 20% of undergraduates at California State University-Long Beach live in campus housing, so a meaningful share of students commute or live off campus. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.
Other colleges in California parents ask about
- California State University-Fullerton91% acceptance
- California State University-Northridge93% acceptance
- California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo31% acceptance
- California State Polytechnic University-Pomona75% acceptance
- California State University-Los Angeles91% acceptance
- California State University-Fresno95% acceptance
- California State University-Sacramento94% acceptance
- Claremont McKenna College10% acceptance
Next steps for California State University-Long Beach
Common questions parents ask about California State University-Long Beach
What GPA do I need for California State University-Long Beach?
70% of enrolled students at California State University-Long Beach had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, and the average was 3.67, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.
What SAT or ACT score does California State University-Long Beach typically admit?
California State University-Long Beach is test-blind: SAT and ACT scores are not considered in admission decisions, even if you submit them. There is no score range because scores are not read.
How much does California State University-Long Beach actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at California State University-Long Beach after grants and scholarships is $10,440 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $7,350 and $19,950 out of state. Budget against the net figure.
Is California State University-Long Beach realistic for my child?
California State University-Long Beach admits 46% of applicants, so the transcript and course rigour carry the decision, with no published score band to place against. Then check the $10,440 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at California State University-Long Beach?
California State University-Long Beach accepts about 46% of applicants out of roughly 83,951 who apply each year. That makes it a selective school.
Is California State University-Long Beach test-optional?
California State University-Long Beach is test-blind: it does not consider SAT or ACT scores in admission decisions, even if you submit them.
What is the graduation rate at California State University-Long Beach?
About 69% of students at California State University-Long Beach graduate within six years, and 38% finish in four years. 87% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.
What does California State University-Long Beach look for in applicants?
California State University-Long Beach rates class rank and GPA as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.
Is California State University-Long Beach a public or private school, and where is it located?
California State University-Long Beach is a public institution located in Long Beach, California.
What are the most popular majors at California State University-Long Beach?
The largest undergraduate majors at California State University-Long Beach by annual graduates are Business Administration, Management and Operations, Psychology, General and Fine and Studio Arts. The school awards about 4,211 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is California State University-Long Beach safe? What is its campus crime rate?
California State University-Long Beach reported 57 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 1.6 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
What is campus life like at California State University-Long Beach?
At California State University-Long Beach, 20% of undergraduates live on campus, according to its most recent Common Data Set.
Sources: the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by California State University-Long Beach, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers