Colleges › California › Cal State Long Beach
Cal State Long Beach acceptance rate, GPA needed and real cost
Also known as CSULB, Long Beach State
Cal State Long Beach accepts 46% of applicants. It is a public university in Long Beach, California, with about 35,924 undergraduates. The sticker price is $25,720 a year for state residents, but after aid the average family pays $9,426.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, checked October 29, 2026.
What GPA do you need for CSULB?
Admitly estimates a typical California resident needs about a 3.7 unweighted GPA for a better-than-even chance, and about 4.0 for admission to be likely (80%+).
The U.S. Department of Education does not collect high school GPAs, so Admitly does not publish an "average GPA" figure. Colleges that report one do so in their own Common Data Set.
Chances of getting into Cal State Long Beach by GPA
Cal State Long Beach does not consider SAT or ACT scores, so these chances assume no test score. GPA is unweighted, on a 4.0 scale.
| GPA | California resident | Out-of-state |
|---|---|---|
| 3.0 | 3% Reach | 1% Reach |
| 3.3 | 13% Reach | 4% Reach |
| 3.5 | 28% Reach | 10% Reach |
| 3.7 | 50% Target | 23% Reach |
| 3.9 | 72% Target | 44% Target |
| 4.0 | 81% Likely | 56% Target |
Likely = 80% or higher, Target = 30–80%, Reach = under 30%. Course rigour, class rank, activities and AP scores all change the estimate.
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Check my chancesWhat families actually pay at Cal State Long Beach
Yearly cost after need-based grants, by household income. Sticker price is $25,720 a year for state residents including room and board.
| Family income | In-state | Out-of-state |
|---|---|---|
| Under $50k | $6,400 | $17,800 |
| $50k – $100k | $7,600 | $18,900 |
| $100k – $150k | $11,500 | $22,800 |
| $150k – $250k | $21,500 | $32,800 |
| Over $250k | $23,500 | $34,800 |
Out-of-state figures add most of the tuition difference, since state grants rarely follow students across state lines.
Outcomes
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, checked October 29, 2026.
Common questions about Cal State Long Beach
What is the acceptance rate at Cal State Long Beach?
Cal State Long Beach admits 46% of applicants, according to the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, checked October 29, 2026.
What GPA do you need to get into Cal State Long Beach?
Admitly estimates a typical California resident needs about a 3.7 unweighted GPA for a better-than-even chance, and about 4.0 for admission to be likely (80%+). This is an estimate from Admitly's admission model, not an official cutoff: course rigour, test scores (not considered here), activities and essays all matter.
What SAT or ACT score do you need for Cal State Long Beach?
Cal State Long Beach does not consider SAT or ACT scores.
How much does Cal State Long Beach cost after financial aid?
The sticker price is $25,720 a year for state residents including room and board, but the average family pays $9,426 after grants. Families earning under $50k pay about $6,400 in-state.
What is the graduation rate at Cal State Long Beach?
70% of students finish their degree, and 87% return for a second year.
Colleges similar to Cal State Long Beach
- University of California, DavisDavis, CA · admits 42%
- Santa Clara UniversitySanta Clara, CA · admits 48%
- San Diego State UniversitySan Diego, CA · admits 36%
- Auburn UniversityAuburn, AL · admits 46%
- University of Wisconsin-MadisonMadison, WI · admits 45%
- University of Maryland, College ParkCollege Park, MD · admits 45%