California State University-Long Beach

Public · Selective · CA

Photo: Buchanan-Hermit (CC BY)

School data & stats

TypePublic

LocationCA · West

SettingUrban

Undergrads35,924

Student:faculty23:1

Outcomes

4-yr grad rate38%

6-yr grad rate68.9%

Drop-out rate13.2%

Study abroad—

Cost

In-state tuition$7k

Out-of-state tuition$20k

Application fee—

Community

Racial diversity85.6%

Gender diversity58.6%

International2.2%

Identity—

Overview

Long Beach State is one of the largest campuses in the California State University system, set on a landscaped site a few miles from the Pacific in Long Beach, with a distinctive campus design built around wide green spaces and public art installations. It serves a highly diverse mix of commuter and residential students, reflecting the demographics of greater Los Angeles and Orange County, and admission here is among the more competitive within the CSU system given its popularity and location.

Academics

Art and design is a particular standout, with a strong reputation that extends beyond the CSU system and draws students specifically for its studio-based programs, and engineering and nursing are also well-regarded programs with solid regional placement into Southern California employers. The College of Business is large and well-established, feeding graduates into the region's logistics, trade, and corporate sectors given the campus's proximity to the Port of Long Beach. Class sizes vary widely by program, from large lecture courses in general education to more intensive studio and lab settings in art and engineering.

Campus & student life

The campus sits close enough to the ocean that beach access genuinely shapes student life, and Long Beach itself offers a mid-size city backdrop with restaurants, transit, and internship opportunities nearby, including in the city's active arts and design scene. A significant portion of students commute, which gives the campus a somewhat different rhythm than fully residential schools, though on-campus housing and student life programming have grown over time to serve a growing residential population. Athletics compete in the Big West Conference, with a loyal following particularly around volleyball and basketball.

Getting in

As one of the more selective CSU campuses, Long Beach evaluates students primarily on academic record within the CSU's formula-driven admissions index, with less emphasis on essays than private universities require. Certain impacted programs, particularly in art, design, and nursing, add their own additional review or portfolio requirements beyond the general campus application.

After graduation

Art and design graduates place into Southern California's creative industries, including entertainment and commercial design fields, at a level that stands out among CSU campuses. Business and logistics graduates benefit from proximity to the Port of Long Beach and the broader LA-area corporate economy, and nursing graduates fill positions across the region's hospital systems.

Worth knowing

Students should know that Long Beach's popularity within the CSU system means some impacted majors, particularly in art, design, and nursing, are more competitive to enter than general admission to the university itself, sometimes requiring a separate application after enrollment. The commuter and residential populations coexist, so students hoping for a fully traditional residential experience should check housing availability specifically.

csulb.edu ↗

Admissions

Acceptance rate46.3%

Enrolled mid-50%—

Test policynot used

Rec letters0

Deadlines (2026–27 cycle)

Regular decisionNov 30

Applying (2026-27 cycle)

Apply through Cal State Apply.

Financial aid formsMar 2

Verified from the school’s admissions pages ↗