California State University-Long Beach vs University of California-Berkeley
California State University-Long Beach is a public university in Long Beach, CA, and University of California-Berkeley is a public university in Berkeley, CA. University of California-Berkeley is the more selective of the two, admitting about 11% of applicants against 46% at California State University-Long Beach. California State University-Long Beach is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $10,440 a year against $13,481 at University of California-Berkeley. About 93% of students graduate at University of California-Berkeley, compared with 69% at California State University-Long Beach. Ten years after enrolling, University of California-Berkeley alumni earn a median of about $92,446, against $64,403 for California State University-Long Beach.
At a glance
Type
Public
Public
Location
Long Beach, CA
Berkeley, CA
Setting
Urban
Urban
Undergraduates
35,924
33,068
Acceptance rate
46%
11%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
~3.66 avg
3.5–4
SAT (middle 50%)
1020–1240
1310–1530
ACT (middle 50%)
20–26
30–35
Test policy
Test blind
Test blind
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$10,440
$13,481
Full cost / yr
$22,679
$45,619
In-state tuition
$7,350
$16,347
Out-of-state tuition
$19,950
$50,547
Application fee
$70
$80
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$7,183
$5,311
$30k - $48k
$7,831
$6,501
$48k - $75k
$9,705
$9,693
$75k - $110k
$12,630
$15,074
Over $110k
$19,750
$34,529
Outcomes
Graduation rate
69%
93%
Freshman retention
87%
97%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$50,062
$74,919
Median earnings (10 yr)
$64,403
$92,446
Median debt at graduation
$14,289
$13,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
50%
29%
First-generation students
49%
35%
International students
2%
10%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
Regular decision
Nov 30
Nov 30
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 University of California-Berkeley harder to get into?
- University of California-Berkeley is harder to get into. It admits about 11% of applicants, compared with 46% at California State University-Long Beach. 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 University of California-Berkeley?
- California State University-Long Beach is cheaper on average. Students pay about $10,440 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $13,481 at University of California-Berkeley. 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 University of California-Berkeley?
- Before aid, California State University-Long Beach costs about $22,679 a year and University of California-Berkeley about $45,619. 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 University of California-Berkeley?
- University of California-Berkeley. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $5,311 there, against about $7,183 at California State University-Long Beach. 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 University of California-Berkeley?
- California State University-Long Beach is the larger of the two, with about 35,924 undergraduates against 33,068 at University of California-Berkeley.
- Does California State University-Long Beach or University of California-Berkeley have a better graduation rate?
- University of California-Berkeley has the higher graduation rate, at about 93% against 69% at California State University-Long Beach.
- Do graduates of California State University-Long Beach or University of California-Berkeley earn more?
- University of California-Berkeley alumni earn more on average: a median of about $92,446 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 University of California-Berkeley require SAT or ACT scores?
- California State University-Long Beach is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all. University of California-Berkeley is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all.
- What SAT scores do California State University-Long Beach and University of California-Berkeley look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1020–1240 at California State University-Long Beach and 1310–1530 at University of California-Berkeley. 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-San DiegoUniversity of California-Berkeley vs University of California-Los AngelesUniversity of California-Berkeley vs University of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of California-Berkeley vs University of California-San Diego
Which of these is the better fit for you?
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