Head-to-head · 2026
California State University-Long Beach vs San Diego State University
Compare average net price ($10,440 at California State University-Long Beach; $15,364 at San Diego State University), ROI score (15.42 vs 10.56), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($64,403 vs $64,909), and admissions selectivity (46.3% acceptance at California State University-Long Beach; 36.2% at San Diego State University) 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-Long Beach | San Diego State University |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 15.42 ✓ | 10.56 |
| Avg net price | $10,440 ✓ | $15,364 |
| 4-year avg net price | $41,760 ✓ | $61,456 |
| In-state tuition | $7,350 | $8,728 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $19,950 | $21,328 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $64,403 | $64,909 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | 46.3% | 36.2% |
| Graduation rate | 68.9% | 76.4% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 86.8% | 90.6% ✓ |
| Median debt | $14,289 ✓ | $15,000 |
| Enrollment | 35,924 | 35,377 |
| 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-Long Beach | San Diego State University |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $7,183 ✓ | $9,910 |
| Family income $30–48k | $7,831 ✓ | $10,017 |
| Family income $48–75k | $9,705 ✓ | $12,697 |
| Family income $75–110k | $12,630 ✓ | $15,891 |
| Family income $110k+ | $19,750 ✓ | $23,821 |
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-Long Beach | San Diego State University |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 15.6% | 17.9% |
| Psychology, General | 5% | 6.6% |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 3.4% | 3.7% |
| Fine and Studio Arts | 3.8% | 2.4% |
| Communication and Media Studies | 3.1% | 3% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 2.2% | 3.8% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 3.8% | 2.1% |
| Biology, General | 2.7% | 2.8% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
California State University-Long Beach reports the lower average net price by $4,924 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $19,696 difference over four years ($41,760 vs $61,456).
San Diego State University reports $506 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($64,909 vs $64,403). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 86.8% at California State University-Long Beach and 90.6% at San Diego State University. Median federal debt among completers is $14,289 vs $15,000, 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-Long Beach vs San Diego State University, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
California State University-Long Beach is cheaper — average net price $10,440 per year vs $15,364 at San Diego State University. The annual difference of $4,924 adds up to about $19,696 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
San Diego State University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $64,909 vs $64,403 at California State University-Long Beach. The gap in the federal data is $506. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
San Diego State University is more selective at 36.2% acceptance vs 46.3% at California State University-Long Beach.
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.