Head-to-head · 2026
California State University-Fullerton vs California State University-Long Beach
Compare average net price ($6,555 at California State University-Fullerton; $10,440 at California State University-Long Beach), ROI score (24.01 vs 15.42), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($62,951 vs $64,403), and admissions selectivity (90.5% acceptance at California State University-Fullerton; 46.3% at California State University-Long Beach) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | California State University-Fullerton | California State University-Long Beach |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 24.01 ✓ | 15.42 |
| Avg net price | $6,555 ✓ | $10,440 |
| 4-year avg net price | $26,220 ✓ | $41,760 |
| In-state tuition | $7,470 | $7,350 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $20,070 | $19,950 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $62,951 | $64,403 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | 90.5% | 46.3% |
| Graduation rate | 70.2% ✓ | 68.9% |
| Retention rate | 82.4% | 86.8% ✓ |
| Median debt | $13,750 ✓ | $14,289 |
| Enrollment | 38,546 | 35,924 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | — |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | California State University-Fullerton | California State University-Long Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $3,315 ✓ | $7,183 |
| Family income $30–48k | $4,123 ✓ | $7,831 |
| Family income $48–75k | $6,090 ✓ | $9,705 |
| Family income $75–110k | $8,930 ✓ | $12,630 |
| Family income $110k+ | $15,631 ✓ | $19,750 |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | California State University-Fullerton | California State University-Long Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 20.3% | 15.6% |
| Psychology, General | 7.8% | 5% |
| Communication and Media Studies | 5.8% | 3.1% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 4.5% | 3.8% |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 4.8% | 3.4% |
| Fine and Studio Arts | 3.7% | 3.8% |
| Computer Science | 3.4% | 2.8% |
| Sociology | 3.4% | 2.7% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
California State University-Fullerton reports the lower average net price by $3,885 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $15,540 difference over four years ($26,220 vs $41,760).
California State University-Long Beach reports $1,452 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($64,403 vs $62,951). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 82.4% at California State University-Fullerton and 86.8% at California State University-Long Beach. Median federal debt among completers is $13,750 vs $14,289, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
California State University-Fullerton vs California State University-Long Beach, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
California State University-Fullerton is cheaper — average net price $6,555 per year vs $10,440 at California State University-Long Beach. The annual difference of $3,885 adds up to about $15,540 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
California State University-Long Beach reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $64,403 vs $62,951 at California State University-Fullerton. The gap in the federal data is $1,452. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
California State University-Long Beach is more selective at 46.3% acceptance vs 90.5% at California State University-Fullerton.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.