California State University, Long Beach is a public research university in the USA established as a state college in 1949 and gained university status in 1972. CSULB has an acceptance rate of ~47.14% for all applicants. California State University, Long Beach campus is home to 38,190 students including 34,033 undergraduate students and 4,157 graduate students. International students reportedly comprise 5.6% of the total student body of the university. Applicants can pursue nearly 190 courses in CSULB across undergraduate (81), graduate (67), and doctoral (3) levels.
Students applying for admission to California State University at Long Beach in graduate level need a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale (80%) in undergraduate courses. Indian students must anticipate an expense between $28,232 to 36,846 USD (24.36 to 31.79 Lakhs INR) in tuition fees for Cal State Long Beach. The university reflects a high return on investment with an average graduate salary of 82,000 USD (~₹70.76 Lakhs) per annum.
Here’s a look at what students say about California State University Long Beach (CSULB):
“California State University offers a highly flexible and detail-oriented curriculum that allows me to gain comprehensive knowledge and experience in my field. The university’s location near Los Angeles provides excellent access to industry hubs, enhancing internship and job opportunities. There is an increased number of Indian students, which can limit interaction with students from other countries. The food options for vegans are clean but may not appeal to everyone. Overall, CSU has been a great choice for my academic journey.”
Read full reviews on CSULB, to more about college life, placements, and admissions.
Table of Contents
In the 2025 rankings, California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) is ranked #109 in the national universities category by U.S. News & World Report, and #1401+ in the QS World University Rankings.
| Ranked by | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. News & World Report | #109 | #105 | #137 |
| QS | #1401 | #1201 | #1401 |
Additional Rankings:
California State University, Long Beach offers ~190 programs across its 8 colleges. This includes 67 graduate programs and 3 doctoral programs. Check out some popular courses at California State University, Long Beach in the following table:
| Program | Annual Fees In USD | Annual Fees In INR |
|---|---|---|
| Master of Science [M.S] Computer Science (155 Views Last Year) | USD 17922 | INR 15.7 Lakhs |
| Master of Business Administration [M.B.A] (80 Views Last Year) | USD 22800 | INR 19.98 Lakhs |
| Master of Science [M.S] Counseling Psychology (75 Views Last Year) | USD 19512 | INR 17.09 Lakhs |
| Master of Science [M.S] Civil Engineering (60 Views Last Year) | USD 17922 | INR 15.7 Lakhs |
| Master Mechanical Engineering (50 Views Last Year) | USD 17922 | INR 15.7 Lakhs |
| Master Aerospace Engineering (50 Views Last Year) | USD 17922 | INR 15.7 Lakhs |
| Master of Science [M.S] Information System (48 Views Last Year) | USD 15750 | INR 13.8 Lakhs |
| Master of Science [M.S] Electrical Engineering (33 Views Last Year) | USD 17922 | INR 15.7 Lakhs |
| Bachelor Interior Design (5 Views Last Year) | USD 6450 | INR 5.65 Lakhs |
| Master of Arts [M.A] History (3 Views Last Year) | USD 8064 | INR 7.06 Lakhs |
California State University Long Beach Admissions
California State University, Long Beach offers admission in the terms of Fall, Spring, and Winter. California State University, Long Beach reportedly has an acceptance rate of ~47%, reflecting a quite selective admission policy. CSULB admission details for graduate and undergraduate programs are provided below:
California State University Long Beach graduate admissions requirements are as tabulated below:
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Application Portal | Cal State Apply – Graduate |
| Application Fee | 70 USD (6,041 INR) |
| Academic Requirements | 4 year degree |
| GPA Requirements | Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 out of 4.0 (80%) |
| English Proficiency Requirements | TOEFL iBT: 80 | IELTS: 6.0 | Duolingo: 115 | PTE: 58 |
| Supporting Documents | Resume | Letters of recommendation | Transcripts |
California State University Long Beach undergraduate admissions requirements are tabulated below:
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Application Portal | Common Application |
| Application Fee | 70 USD (6,041 INR) |
| Academic Requirements | High school certificate |
| GPA Requirements | 3.0 out of 4.0 or above (85%) |
| English Proficiency Requirements | TOEFL iBT: 61 | IELTS: 5.5 | Duolingo: 95 | PTE: 43 |
| Additional Requirements | Statement of purpose/LOR and essays are not considered |
“The campus life at CSU Long Beach is vibrant, with numerous student clubs and modern facilities that foster active engagement. The faculty is knowledgeable and supportive, providing excellent study materials. One downside is ensuring all required courses are available each semester. I chose CSU Long Beach for its academic excellence, affordability, and proximity to Silicon Valley. The application process was straightforward, requiring academic records, GRE and TOEFL scores, a statement of purpose, and letters of recommendation. The overall experience has been rewarding, with a strong return on investment.”
California State University admissions take place in two intakes in USA: Fall and Spring. Here are the important dates for admission at CSULB
Fall Intake Deadlines:
| Class Level | 1st day to apply | Applicat on deadline | Document deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freshmen | Oct. 1 | April 1 | April 15 |
| Undergraduate Transfer | Oct. 1 | April 1 | April 15 |
| Graduate | Oct. 1 | March 15 | April 1 |
Spring Intake Deadlines:
| Class Level | 1st day to apply | Application deadline | Document deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freshmen* | Aug. 1 | Oct. 1 | Oct. 15 |
| Undergraduate Transfer | Aug. 1 | Oct. 1 | Oct. 15 |
| Graduate | Aug. 1 | Oct. 1 | Oct. 15 |
These dates remain the same for each year, however may vary according to major and class level. Please refer to department’s website for further information. Freshmen applicants interested in BA in Music and BA in Dance must contact the department regarding an earlier deadline as well as audition information.
Check out the comparisons between California State University, Long Beach and some top universities in the world:
| University | Tuition Fee (USD) | Equivalent Tuition Fee for Indians (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| California State University, Long Beach | 14,658 to 16,392 | 12.22 to 13.66 lakhs |
| Arizona State University | 10,978 to 12,104 | 9.15 to 10.09 lakhs |
| Central Michigan University | 15,600 to 21,000 | 13 to 17.50 lakhs |
Also Read
Around 71% of undergraduate students receive some kind of financial aid from California State University long beach. The average award received by students per year is around ~20,000 USD. To avail benefits of such awards, a student must first be enrolled into the university under any Department and needs to submit an online application to the financial aid office of the organization. Here are some of the merit based scholarships provided by CSULB:
| Merit-based Scholarships | Eligibility | Award Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Education Future International Scholarship | Full-time enrollment in an undergraduate or graduate program; demonstrated academic excellence | Variable |
| Study California Scholarship | Full-time enrollment in a degree program; financial need; international student status | |
| MBA Advisory Board Scholarship | Enrollment in the MBA program; demonstrated leadership and academic achievement | $3,000 |
| Wan-Lin Kiang Scholarship | Enrollment in specific programs; demonstrated academic excellence | $1,428 |
| Graduate Equity Fellowship | Graduated from Long Beach schools; financial need | $500 |
| Preeminent Scholarships and Fellowships | Outstanding academic performance; participation in research or leadership activities | Variable |
| Boren Undergraduate Scholarships | Demonstrated interest in studying less-commonly taught languages; full-time undergraduate status | |
| CLS Critical Language Scholarship Program | Interest in learning critical languages; full-time enrollment | |
| Frederick Scholarships | Academic excellence; involvement in specific fields of study |
It should be noted that international students are not eligible for any federal or state financial aid. However, international students can look for various externally-funded scholarships to study in USA. Following are some popular scholarships that Indian students can avail:
| Scholarship Name | Type | Eligibility | Award Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships | Merit-Based | A first-class undergraduate degree; Candidate should be over the age of 30 years | $100,000 |
| Fulbright-Nehru Masters Fellowships | Merit-Based | Minimum 55% or higher in an UG IELTS score of 6.0 or equivalent | Variable |
| National Overseas Scholarship | Need-Based | Total family income should not exceed INR 6,00,000; Minimum 55% or its equivalent | $15,400 |
| Mahindra Finance KCMET Scholarship | Need-Based | For girls from disadvantaged backgrounds; First Class degree or equivalent | $5,542 |
| #YouAreWelcomeHere | Tuition-Fee-Waiver | Write an essay of 500-1000 words or record a video of 2–5 minutes | Variable |
California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) graduates experience strong career outcomes, with a mid-career salary average of $121,700. Engineering/Engineering-related Technologies/Technicians have the highest median earnings at $65,016, while English Language and Literature/Letters have the lowest at $22,880.
The Career development center assists students in planning their careers after graduation through a number of services. This includes career counselling, employer connections, and professional development opportunities. Here’s a more detailed breakdown of job outcomes and career prospects for CSULB graduates:
CSULB graduates have a strong earning potential, with a mid-career salary average of $121,700.
CSULB has high graduation and employment rates, with some cohorts reaching 100% employment.
CSULB’s CareerLINK program provides access to job opportunities in various fields like Accounting Coordinator at Aimbridge Hospitality, Business Analyst at Amazon, Digital Marketing Strategist at Truist, and Field Sales Manager at Grundfos
Check in Detail: Jobs for Indian Students in USA
California State University at Long Beach is at the forefront of public education and the world. It aims to enrich student lives and aid them to achieve their academic and career goals through high-impact educational and research experiences. Along with that, the small student-teacher ratio enables students to better connect with teachers.
