California State University-Long Beach vs Santa Clara University
California State University-Long Beach is a public university in Long Beach, CA, and Santa Clara University is a private university in Santa Clara, CA. California State University-Long Beach is the more selective of the two, admitting about 46% of applicants against 48% at Santa Clara University. California State University-Long Beach is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $10,440 a year against $50,062 at Santa Clara University. About 88% of students graduate at Santa Clara University, compared with 69% at California State University-Long Beach. Ten years after enrolling, Santa Clara University alumni earn a median of about $109,183, against $64,403 for California State University-Long Beach.
At a glance
Type
Public
Private
Location
Long Beach, CA
Santa Clara, CA
Setting
Urban
Urban
Undergraduates
35,924
6,552
Acceptance rate
46%
48%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
~3.66 avg
3.5–4
SAT (middle 50%)
1020–1240
1350–1490
ACT (middle 50%)
20–26
31–33
Test policy
Test blind
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$10,440
$50,062
Full cost / yr
$22,679
$82,026
In-state tuition
$7,350
$61,293
Out-of-state tuition
$19,950
$61,293
Application fee
$70
$70
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$7,183
$22,985
$30k - $48k
$7,831
$19,154
$48k - $75k
$9,705
$26,531
$75k - $110k
$12,630
$37,219
Over $110k
$19,750
$60,678
Outcomes
Graduation rate
69%
88%
Freshman retention
87%
94%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$50,062
$91,198
Median earnings (10 yr)
$64,403
$109,183
Median debt at graduation
$14,289
$19,162
Student body
Pell grant recipients
50%
11%
First-generation students
49%
17%
International students
2%
7%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Nov 1
Early action
Not reported
Nov 1
Regular decision
Nov 30
Jan 7
Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.
- Is California State University-Long Beach or Santa Clara University harder to get into?
- California State University-Long Beach is harder to get into. It admits about 46% of applicants, compared with 48% at Santa Clara University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- Which is cheaper, California State University-Long Beach or Santa Clara University?
- California State University-Long Beach is cheaper on average. Students pay about $10,440 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $50,062 at Santa Clara University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- What is the full cost of attendance at California State University-Long Beach and Santa Clara University?
- Before aid, California State University-Long Beach costs about $22,679 a year and Santa Clara University about $82,026. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
- Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, California State University-Long Beach or Santa Clara University?
- California State University-Long Beach. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $7,183 there, against about $22,985 at Santa Clara University. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, California State University-Long Beach or Santa Clara University?
- California State University-Long Beach is the larger of the two, with about 35,924 undergraduates against 6,552 at Santa Clara University.
- Does California State University-Long Beach or Santa Clara University have a better graduation rate?
- Santa Clara University has the higher graduation rate, at about 88% against 69% at California State University-Long Beach.
- Do graduates of California State University-Long Beach or Santa Clara University earn more?
- Santa Clara University alumni earn more on average: a median of about $109,183 ten years after enrolling, against about $64,403 for California State University-Long Beach. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do California State University-Long Beach and Santa Clara University require SAT or ACT scores?
- California State University-Long Beach is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all. Santa Clara University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
- What SAT scores do California State University-Long Beach and Santa Clara University look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1020–1240 at California State University-Long Beach and 1350–1490 at Santa Clara University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
Related comparisons
California State University-Long Beach vs University of California-Los AngelesCalifornia State University-Long Beach vs University of Southern CaliforniaCalifornia State University-Long Beach vs University of California-BerkeleySanta Clara University vs Stanford UniversitySanta Clara University vs Loyola Marymount UniversitySanta Clara University vs University of San Diego
Which of these is the better fit for you?
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