Overview of California State University, Long Beach (CSULB)

California State University, Long Beach, is a public institution with an acceptance rate of 31%. Cal State Long Beach is the third-largest institution by enrollment in the California State University system. Students can choose from 150-degree options, and students enjoy a 23 to 1 faculty/student ratio. Outside of the classroom, students will find plenty of opportunities to engage with the campus community via the university’s many clubs and organizations.

Enrollment

• Total Enrollment: 36,846 (31,447 undergraduates)
• Gender Breakdown: 43 percent male/57 percent female
• 87 percent full-time

Cost of Attendance Information

• Tuition and Fees: $6,798 (in-state); $17,094 (out-of-state)
• Books: $1,250
• Room and Board: $13,158
• Other Expenses: $3,272
• Total Cost: $24,478 (in-state); $34,774 (out-of-state)

Financial Aid Information

• Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 82 percent
• Percentage of New Students Receiving Types of Aid
  • Grants: 77 percent
  • Loans: 31 percent

• Average Amount of Aid
  • Grants: $8,560
  • Loans: $6,190

Academic Programs Offered

• Most Popular Majors: Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Visual and Performing Arts; Health Professions and Related Programs; Engineering; and Social Sciences

Retention and Graduation

• First-Year Student Retention (full-time students): 87 percent
• Transfer-Out Rate: 2 percent
• 4-Year Graduation Rate: 17 percent
• 6-Year Graduation Rate: 69 percent

NCAA Athletic Programs

• Men’s Sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Golf, Track and Field, Volleyball, Water Polo
• Women’s Sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Golf, Soccer, Softball, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball, Water Polo, Beach Volleyball
• The Long Beach State 49ers play in the NCAA Division I Big West Conference.

Overview of California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) Admissions

Cal State Long Beach, which accepts fewer than a third of applicants, has a competitive admissions process and is one of the more selective institutions in the California State University System. The admission process is not holistic. Applicants must complete an online application, and send test scores from either the SAT or ACT and high school transcripts. Applicants don’t need to send essays or recommendation letters. Instead, admissions are decided by test scores and GPA. This institution wants to see outstanding grades in the most rigorous classes possible; Advanced Placement, IB, Honors, and dual enrollment classes— the more challenging your high school courses were, the better. Interested students should check out the university’s website, which has helpful tips and contact information for the admissions offices.

Admissions Data

Throughout the 2018-19 admissions phase, Cal State Long Beach had an acceptance rate of 31%. for every 100 students who submitted applications, 31 gained admission, making CSULB’s admissions process competitive.

SAT Requirements and Scores

Cal State Long Beach requires that applicants submit either SAT or ACT scores. Throughout the 2018-19 admissions phase, 95% of admitted students provided SAT scores.

This admissions data tells us that Cal State Long Beach’s admitted students scored in the top 35% on the SAT. For the 50% of students admitted to Cal State, Long Beach scored between 520 and 620 reading and writing section, while 25% scored below 520, and 25% scored over 620. 50% of students who gained admission scored 520 and 630 on the math section, while 25% scored below 520, and 25% scored over 630. Students with a cumulative SAT score of 1250 or higher will have competitive chances at Cal State Long Beach.

ACT Requirements and Scores

Cal State Long Beach requires that applicants submit either SAT or ACT scores. Throughout the 2018-19 admissions phase, 27% of admitted students provided ACT scores.

This admissions data tells us that Cal State Long Beach’s admitted students scored in the top 49% on the ACT. The median 50% of students admitted to CSULB received a cumulative ACT score between 20 and 26, while 25% scored over 26, and 25% scored below 20.

GPA

The average high school GPA for Cal State Long Beach freshman was 3.56 in 2019. Successful applicants have B grades primarily.

Safety Net Schools: Easy to Gain Admission

If past admission data predicts that you would be a competitive candidate for Cal State Long Beach, then it should be easy for you to gain admissions to the schools below. If Cal State Long Beach is currently out of your reach, then you are sure to be a competitive candidate for the schools below.

Texas State University, Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis, Georgia State University, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, University of Texas at El Paso, California State University Northridge

Same Tier: Just As Hard to Gain Admission

If you’re a competitive candidate for Cal State Long Beach, then you should have an equal chance of gaining admissions at these schools.

Texas Tech University, Pace University, University of North Texas, San Jose State University, Florida Gulf Coast University, University of Texas at San Antonio, Hampton University

Reach Institutions: Gaining Admissions Will Be More of a Challenge

These schools are more challenging to gain admission into than Cal State Long Beach. If you improve your GPA and SAT/ACT scores, then you’ll be a competitive candidate for these schools.

University of Cincinnati, Penn State University Park, United States Military Academy, Hofstra University, Auburn University, Temple University, Seton Hall University

Applying to Cal State Long Beach

Application Deadline: Rolling

Undergraduate Admissions Website: http://www.csulb.edu/admissions

Undergraduate Application Link(s): http://www.csulb.edu/admissions/apply-csulb

Graduate Admissions Website:

http://www.csulb.edu/admissions/graduate-programs-admission-eligibility

Graduate Application Link(s): http://www.csulb.edu/admissions/graduate-programs-application-process