Payback
EarningsPlus
Economic score
California State University, Long Beach is a public national university located in Long Beach, California. CSULB is selective in their admissions.
Return on educational investment at CSULB is in the top 10% of all ranked schools. The median student earns $57,123 10 years after enrolling, 52nd in California, and in the top 25% nationally. When adjusted for earning differences by major, CSULB bachelor students earn 2% less than the national average. CSULB is ranked 19th in California.
California State University, Long Beach’s median net annual cost of $10,054 and average years to graduate of 4.7 are reported only at the school level. We assume these same costs and graduation time for all programs.
The top 6 programs at CSULB sorted by number of graduates - Business Administration, Psychology, Fine & Studio Arts, Consumer Sciences, Comms & Media Studies, Sociology - are shown below. To see more programs, click on "see additional programs".
Annual net cost
$10,054
Average years to graduate
4.7
Mechanical Engineering
Rank: #18
Economic score: 0.95
Computer Science
Rank: #72
Economic score: 1.25
Health Administrative Services
Rank: #14
Economic score: 1.67
Poli Sci/Government
Rank: #70
Economic score: 2.89
Liberal Arts and Sciences
Rank: #28
Economic score: 2.93
Criminal Justice
Rank: #61
Economic score: 3.03
Biology
Rank: #122
Economic score: 4.01
English Language & Lit
Rank: #56
Economic score: 4.02
History
Rank: #111
Economic score: 4.82
Health & Fitness
Rank: #152
Economic score: 5.32
EarningPlus compares the three-year post graduate earnings to the median earnings of the same graduating class, with the same graduate degree. These 2 metrics, debt-to-earnings and EarningsPlus, are combined into an economic score. The lower the economic score the better.
The most popular 6 graduate programs at CSULB - Social Work, Business Administration, Health & Fitness, Public Administration, Student Counseling, English Language & Lit - are shown below. To see more programs, click on "see additional programs".
Clinical / Counseling Psych
Rank: #1
Economic score: 0.19
Educ. Administration
Rank: #16
Economic score: 0.2
Special Education
Rank: #8
Economic score: 0.23
Electrical Engineering
Rank: #21
Economic score: 0.29
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services, Other
Rank: #1
Economic score: 0.29
Geography/Cartography
Rank: #1
Economic score: 0.32
Health Administrative Services
Rank: #19
Economic score: 0.33
Communication disorder sciences
Rank: #3
Economic score: 0.35
Public Health
Rank: #39
Economic score: 0.55
Music
Rank: #76
Economic score: 1.66
The average full-time graduate completes their degree in 4.7 years. 82% of all students graduate within 8 years including part-time students. The graduation rate at CSULB is 15% higher than the state average, and 15% above the average for all national universities in the country.
At CSULB, Pell Grant recipients represent 51% of the measured graduating class, 16% higher than the national average of 35%. The average Pell Grant recipient at CSULB graduates within 4.7 years.
CSULB is in the top 5% of schools for graduating Pell recipients.
We calculate this performance by adjusting the graduation rate of Pell students by their percentage of the student body. This adjustment is made to prevent schools with large numbers of Pell students from underperforming in comparison to schools with few Pell students but high graduation rates.
California State University, Long Beach’s economic mobility score of 47.32 is calculated by adjusting the 0.91 economic score of lower-income students by the 51% pell grant recipients within the student body. CSULB’s EMS of 47.32 ranks in the top 5% nationally.false
Economic Mobility
To calculate economic mobility of low-income (household earnings below $30,000) students, we adjust each institution’s economic score by their percentage of Pell Grant students. The logic of this Pell-adjusted calculation is derived from Third Way’s Economic Mobility Index (EMI).
Top 5%
The average Title IV recipient at California State University, Long Beach pays $10,054 a year, $14,140 less than the $24,194 advertised. See below the cost breakdown for students who receive Title IV grants, broken down by income level.
Average net price
The average net price shown by income level for all students that receive Title IV aid. Calculated by deducting the average grant and scholarship aid from tuition, fees, books, and room and board. Limited to first-time, full-time students. Public institution figures are calculated using in-state tuition figures.
Median net price $10,054
Much of the gap between net price and sticker price is filled by institutional and government grants. At CSULB, 75% of students receive some grants and scholarships, compared to the national average of 87% for all colleges and universities. The average amount of federal, state, and institutional grants that students receive is shown on the right.
This leaves a total of $10,054 on average to be covered by the student – be it through loans or out of pocket. In total, 19% of students take out loans, federal or private, at an average amount of $4,931. This is 35% less than the national average.
Federal grants
$4,565
Pell grants
$4,802
State grants
$2,734
Institutional grants
$5,730
California State University, Long Beach's selective admissions are indicated by their 47% acceptance rate. In 2021, the school had 67,122 applicants, of which 31,448 were admitted and 4,865 enrolled. CSULB has a rolling admissions policy, which means applications are reviewed as they arrive until all spaces are filled.
Full time
89%
83%
Female
59%
59%
First time
49%
59%
In-state
98%
68%
1st generation
49%
35%
White
16%
52%
Black
4%
14%
Hispanic
46%
15%
Asian
21%
5%
American Indian
N/A
1.6%
Pacific Islander
N/A
0.3%
Other
13%
12%