,·Public University·Est. 1949
“Go Beach!”
California State University, Long Beach (CSULB), affectionately known as 'The Beach' or 'Long Beach State,' is a large public comprehensive university in Long Beach, California — the second-largest campus by enrollment in the 23-school California State University system, with about 41,000 students (35,000+ undergraduates) on a 322-acre hilltop campus seven miles from the Pacific Ocean. Founded in 1949, CSULB has built one of the strongest reputations in the CSU system across the visual & performing arts, engineering, business, nursing, and the social sciences, and is regularly ranked the #1 master's-level public university in the West by U.S. News. The Bob Cole Conservatory of Music, the College of the Arts (Film and Electronic Arts is a top feeder to Hollywood — alumni include Steven Spielberg), and the College of Engineering (whose graduates pipe heavily into JPL, Boeing, Northrop, SpaceX, and Blue Origin) anchor CSULB's national reputation. The College of Business is AACSB-accredited and one of the largest in the CSU. CSULB serves a remarkably diverse student body: it is a federally-designated Hispanic-Serving Institution and Asian American & Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution, and consistently ranks among the most ethnically diverse large universities in the U.S. The 'Beach Pride' culture is intense — Greek life, Division I Big West athletics, and a decades-long art-and-skate culture infuse campus life. For international students, CSULB is one of the more affordable U.S. flagship-tier public options: 2025-26 international undergraduate tuition runs about $19,646/year (vs. $40K+ at most public flagships), with total cost of attendance around $48,000–$50,000/year including housing, meals, books, and the required SHIP health insurance. CSULB enrolls students from 103 countries — the largest groups from India, China, and Japan — through the Center for International Education (CIE). CSULB is officially TEST-BLIND for SAT/ACT (a CSU-system policy), so international applicants are evaluated on GPA, the Cal State Apply application, and English proficiency only. The American Language Institute (ALI) offers English-language pathway programs for students who don't yet meet the TOEFL/IELTS minimum.
Visa, OPT, H-1B alumni outcomes, and acceptance rates by country — sourced from FOIA, USCIS H-1B Hub, and DHS SEVIS.
National Universities
US News 2026
Test Optional — You can submit scores if they help your case, but they're not required.
Official SourceRegular Decision
The deep admissions playbook beyond the headline acceptance rate — round-by-round breakdowns, nationality data, requirements, and contact paths.
Beyond the sticker price — every named scholarship, the financial aid policy, need-aware notes, and a personalized net-cost estimate.
How life on campus actually feels — clubs, sports, traditions, housing realities, and how the school integrates with its city.
Among the largest engineering colleges in the CSU system, with strong programs in Aerospace, Mechanical, Civil, Electrical, Computer, Chemical, and Biomedical Engineering. Tight industry pipelines to JPL, Boeing (Long Beach), Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, SpaceX, and Blue Origin.
Nationally renowned conservatory-style college with the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music, Theatre Arts, Dance, Film & Electronic Arts, Design, and Art. Film alumni include Steven Spielberg; Design alumni populate Disney, Pixar, and major animation studios.
AACSB-accredited business college, one of the largest in the CSU. Strong programs in Accountancy, Finance, Information Systems, Marketing, and Supply Chain Management. Major employers include Deloitte, EY, KPMG, Boeing, Disney, and Mercedes-Benz USA.
Houses Nursing (one of the most competitive admits in the CSU, ~11–13% acceptance), Kinesiology, Public Health, Social Work, and Health Care Administration. Strong clinical placements across the Long Beach / Los Angeles / Orange County health systems.
CSULB's largest college with 31 departments — Psychology, Sociology, Communication Studies, English, History, Political Science, Linguistics, and the foreign-language departments.
4 years
One of the most respected film programs at a public university — Steven Spielberg's alma mater. Production-heavy curriculum with industry mentorship from Hollywood-active faculty. Strong direct pipeline to LA-based studios and post-production houses.
4 years
STEM-designated; ABET-accredited. Long Beach's aerospace history (Boeing, McDonnell Douglas, Douglas Aircraft) creates deep industry ties. Strong feeder to JPL, SpaceX, Boeing, Blue Origin, and Northrop Grumman.
4 years
Highly selective direct-entry BSN (acceptance rate 11–13%); 95%+ NCLEX pass rate. Clinical rotations at Long Beach Memorial, Children's Hospital of Orange County, MemorialCare, and Kaiser Permanente.
4 years
One of the top-ranked Industrial Design programs on the West Coast. Studio-based; portfolio admission. Alumni placed at Apple, Nike, Adidas, Disney, and major automotive design studios.
Where alumni go after graduation — top industries, grad-school continuation, and the qualitative outcomes story.
Sticker price (annual, out-of-state): $41,594
Net-cost estimate is US-resident-only — international applicants are typically excluded from need-based aid at most schools and should treat the sticker price as the planning baseline.
