California State University-Long Beach
Long Beach, California · Public · 46.3% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 86/100 · Strong Value
California State University-Long Beach
Strong ValueQuick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $7,350/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $19,950/yr |
| Average net price | $10,440/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $41,760 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $64,403 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $40,000 |
| Median debt at graduation | $14,289 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $151 |
| Estimated payback period | 6.2 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 68.9% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 35,924 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $7,183 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $7,831 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $9,705 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $12,630 |
| $110,001+ | $19,750 |
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at California State University-Long Beach with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $67,853 | B+ |
| Psychology | $48,926 | B |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $43,349 | D |
| Communication and Media Studies | $58,137 | B |
| Computer Science | $101,428 | A |
| Biology | $61,492 | B |
| Family and Consumer Sciences | $50,361 | B |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | $60,019 | C+ |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $58,513 | B |
| Sociology | $51,982 | B |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at California State University-Long Beach is $7,350/year ($19,950/year out-of-state). But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $10,440/year, or roughly $41,760 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $7,183/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $19,750/year.
The median graduate leaves with $14,289 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $151 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $64,403 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.36 - well within manageable territory.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 73.1% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 77.4% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 74.3% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 79.5% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 46.3% |
| Enrollment | 35,924 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 50.2% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $12,276 |
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| California State University-Long Beach (this school) | 86 | $10,440 | $64,403 |
| California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo | 96 | $16,665 | $90,768 |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | 93 | $14,355 | $81,054 |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison | 91 | $17,354 | $73,792 |
| North Carolina State University at Raleigh | 87 | $17,303 | $68,758 |
| California State University-Bakersfield | 75 | $5,652 | $59,009 |
The Verdict: The Investment Pays Off
California State University-Long Beach delivers above-average financial returns for its graduates. At a net cost of $10,440 per year ($41,760 over four years), graduates earn a median of $64,403 ten years after enrollment. That puts the payback period at roughly 6.2 years - a solid return on the investment.
The data highlights several strengths: strong earnings premium over high school graduates, a 68.9% graduation rate, manageable debt relative to earnings.
Median debt of $14,289 is very manageable against $64,403 in annual earnings - well within the financial advisor rule of thumb that total debt should not exceed first-year salary.
Rankings & Links
Guides & Tools
Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.