California State University-Long Beach combines exceptional access with strong economic mobility outcomes. As a Mobility Engine institution, the university serves 49.3% Pell-eligible students while producing graduates who earn $3,615 beyond expectations, all with exceptionally manageable debt levels below peer institutions.
With above-average results, reflecting solid long-term earnings relative to educational investment
With excellent performance, driven by controlled costs and manageable debt levels
With exceptional performance, indicating outstanding enrollment of Pell-eligible and first-generation students
With exceptional tier performance, reflecting the university's outstanding ability to serve diverse students while delivering strong economic outcomes
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Top 10 nationally for economic mobility
California State University-Long Beach ranks #7 nationally in Azimuth's composite analysis, with mobility performance at the 99.9th percentile - among the highest we track. Located in Long Beach, California, this large public university maintains selective admission standards with a 47.1% acceptance rate while delivering exceptional access and economic mobility outcomes.
CSULB enrolls 49.3% Pell-eligible students and 48.6% first-generation students, demonstrating exceptional commitment to serving diverse student populations. The university's 44.9% transfer share further reflects its role in providing educational pathways for community college students.
Graduates earn $3,615 beyond expectations relative to similar students, ranking at the 69.7th percentile nationally. Median earnings reach $64,403 ten years after enrollment, placing CSULB in the 80th percentile for long-term earnings.
This combination of strong access, controlled costs, and solid economic outcomes places California State University-Long Beach firmly within the Mobility Engine quadrant, where institutions convert educational opportunity into sustained economic advancement.
California State University-Long Beach delivers strong return on investment through controlled costs and solid earnings outcomes. Graduates earn a median of $64,403 ten years after enrollment, ranking in the 80th percentile nationally.
Earnings range from $38,902 at the 25th percentile to $91,639 at the 75th percentile, reflecting diverse career paths across academic disciplines. The institution generates $3,615 in earnings beyond expectations, demonstrating above-average performance relative to student demographics and program mix.
Students seeking strong economic mobility outcomes at an affordable public institution. Well-suited for first-generation students (48.6%) and Pell-eligible students (49.3%) who want access to diverse programs with solid career earnings.
California State University-Long Beach's Mobility Engine designation reflects exceptional outcomes for students from lower-income backgrounds combined with manageable costs.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
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This is the California State University-Long Beach hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/california-state-university-long-beach/analysis.
California State University-Long Beach admits approximately 47.1% of applicants, meaning roughly 1 in 2 applicants receives an offer of admission. This places CSULB in the selective admission category, with acceptance rates between 25-50%.
The peer median admission rate of 78.1% highlights that CSULB maintains more competitive admission standards than typical public universities, accepting applicants at a rate 31 percentage points lower than peer institutions. This selectivity level represents balanced accessibility - more competitive than open-access institutions but more approachable than highly selective universities.
For prospective students, this admission rate suggests that strong academic preparation improves chances significantly, but the university remains accessible to students with solid high school performance. Students should treat CSULB as a target school rather than a safety, building college lists that include institutions with higher acceptance rates as backup options.
The 47.1% acceptance rate reflects the university's position as a desirable public option in the competitive California higher education landscape, balancing quality outcomes with broad educational access for diverse student populations.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
California State University-Long Beach demonstrates exceptional affordability compared to peer institutions and national averages. The university's published cost of attendance totals $20,310 per year, including $7,008 in-state tuition, $15,612 for room and board, and $1,490 for books and supplies.
However, the average student pays just $8,931 after financial aid, representing substantial savings of $11,379 through institutional and federal aid programs. This net price of $8,931 sits significantly below the peer median of $15,590, creating $6,659 in additional savings compared to similar institutions.
The university's affordability index ranks at the 92.8th percentile with excellent performance, reflecting exceptional value for students and families. California State University-Long Beach's cost structure particularly benefits lower-income students, with net prices ranging from $5,477 for families earning under $30,000 to $18,575 for families earning over $110,000.
This progressive pricing structure, combined with strong financial aid, makes quality higher education accessible across income levels while maintaining solid academic outcomes and career preparation.
California State University-Long Beach graduates demonstrate steady earnings growth trajectory over time. Median earnings rise from $50,062 six years after enrollment to $56,802 at eight years and $64,403 at ten years, representing 28.7% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes are based on substantial ten-year cohorts of 8,425 graduates, providing high confidence in the reported figures. Graduates earn $3,615 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing CSULB in the 69.7th percentile for earnings uplift.
This above-average performance reflects the university's effectiveness in translating educational access into economic outcomes. Low-income graduates earn $51,600, demonstrating solid economic advancement opportunities for students from lower-income backgrounds.
Earnings span from $38,902 at the 25th percentile to $91,639 at the 75th percentile, reflecting differences in program choice and career trajectory. Approximately 24.4% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both advanced education and workforce entry.
The substantial cohort sizes across all time horizons provide robust data for understanding typical graduate outcomes.
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing.
236 graduates
Construction Engineering Technology/Technician.
49 graduates
Computer Engineering, General.
64 graduates
Electrical and Electronics Engineering.
169 graduates
Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering, General.
73 graduates
California State University-Long Beach offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with sufficient federal earnings data for ranking analysis. Adult Health Nurse/Nursing ranks #18 nationally and #10 in California, producing 236 graduates with exceptional median earnings of $106,552 and a value score of 93.8.
Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences ranks #3 nationally and #2 in California, graduating 506 students with median earnings of $41,642 and an outstanding value score of 90.0. Clinical Research Coordinator ranks #9 nationally and #2 in California, graduating 186 students with median earnings of $56,104 and a value score of 88.7.
Commercial Photography ranks #14 nationally and #5 in California, with 130 graduates earning $58,879. Art History, Criticism and Conservation ranks #34 nationally and #9 in California, graduating 370 students with median earnings of $37,445.
Business Administration and Management represents the university's largest program by enrollment, graduating 1,443 students annually with median earnings of $58,055, reflecting strong student demand and solid career outcomes.
Explore alternatives with comparable outcomes based on location, selectivity, and value:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Westmont College Higher acceptance rate (32.7 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 100 miles away; similar graduate earnings | CA | 80% | $64,778 | Compare |
California State University-Fullerton Higher acceptance rate (39.6 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 15 miles away; similar graduate earnings | CA | 87% | $62,951 | Compare |
La Sierra University Higher acceptance rate (46.2 percentage points higher) with similar program focus and located 36 miles away; similar graduate earnings | CA | 93% | $61,824 | Compare |
California State University-Chico Higher acceptance rate (46.6 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | CA | 94% | $64,172 | Compare |
California State University-Sacramento Higher acceptance rate (46.5 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | CA | 94% | $64,876 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of Illinois Chicago Similar quality tier (#6 ranked) | IL | 79% | $68,740 | #6 | Compare |
University Of California-Los Angeles Similar quality tier in West (#8 ranked) | CA | 9% | $82,511 | #8 | Compare |
Florida International University Similar quality tier (#9 ranked) | FL | 59% | $60,249 | #9 | Compare |
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Similar quality tier in West (#10 ranked) | CA | 74% | $71,902 | #10 | Compare |
The University Of Texas At Austin Similar quality tier (#11 ranked) | TX | 29% | $75,121 | #11 | Compare |