Cal State Long Beach: Acceptance Rate and Your Chances
Updated June 2026 · CollegeCalcAI
| Acceptance rate | 34% |
| SAT (75th percentile) | 1280 |
| ACT (75th percentile) | 27 |
| Location | CA |
| School type | Public |
Cal State Long Beach is a large public university in Long Beach, California and one of the most applied-to campuses in the Cal State system. It accepts about 34% of applicants, which is more selective than many people expect from a Cal State school. Getting in requires meeting real academic standards, not just submitting an application.
Calculate your chances at Cal State Long Beach free →How hard is it to get into Cal State Long Beach?
With a 34% acceptance rate, Cal State Long Beach rejects roughly two out of three applicants. The sheer volume of applications the school receives means that meeting minimum eligibility is not enough to stand out. Students who get in generally have solid GPAs and course records that show they can handle college-level work.
The Cal State system uses a more formula-based admissions process than many private schools, so your GPA and coursework carry significant weight. There is less room for a single standout essay or extracurricular to overcome a weak academic record.
Test scores that make you competitive
The 75th percentile SAT score among admitted students at Cal State Long Beach is 1280, and the ACT equivalent is 27. Those marks reflect where most admitted students land, meaning scores around 1100-1280 SAT or 22-27 ACT place you in a competitive range.
Cal State Long Beach has participated in test-optional admissions in recent years. If your GPA is strong, applying without test scores is a real option, though submitting solid scores can strengthen an application if you have them.
What Cal State Long Beach looks for
Cal State Long Beach primarily evaluates academic preparation. Your high school GPA, the rigor of your courses, and whether you completed the required A-G coursework for California public universities are the main factors. Students who challenge themselves with honors or AP classes and maintain strong grades are well positioned.
Cal State schools do not weigh extracurriculars as heavily as private universities, but the personal statement still matters. Being clear and specific about your background and goals helps your application feel grounded and real rather than generic.
Estimate your chances at Cal State Long Beach
CollegeCalcAI has a free calculator where you can enter your GPA, test scores, and activities and get a personalized estimate of your odds at Cal State Long Beach. It is a quick way to get a more realistic picture than just looking at the overall acceptance rate. Visit collegecalcai.com to check your chances.
Frequently asked questions
What is Cal State Long Beach's acceptance rate?
Cal State Long Beach accepts about 34% of applicants, which is more competitive than many expect from a Cal State campus.
What SAT or ACT score do I need for Cal State Long Beach?
The 75th percentile SAT score for admitted students is 1280 and the ACT is 27. Scores in the 1100-1280 SAT or 22-27 ACT range are competitive. CSULB has offered test-optional admissions in recent years.
Is Cal State Long Beach hard to get into?
It is moderately selective. A 34% acceptance rate means most applicants are not admitted, and academic preparation, especially GPA and coursework, is the biggest factor.
See your real odds at Cal State Long Beach
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS), NCES, and publicly reported Common Data Sets. Acceptance rate and score figures are rounded and reflect recent admissions cycles. How we calculate chances.