A diverse, student-centered, globally engaged public university, California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) is committed to providing undergraduate and graduate educational opportunities through superior teaching, research, creative activity and service for the people of California and the world. With its values of Educational Opportunity, Excellence, Diversity, Integrity and Service, CSULB's core academic purpose is to graduate students with highly-valued degrees. CSULB envisions changing lives by expanding educational opportunities, championing creativity and preparing leaders for a changing world.
The Beach Community
Known nationally as "The Beach," CSULB overlooks the Pacific Ocean, its 322-acre campus designed to encourage student involvement and success. Eighty buildings housing 63 academic programs harmonize with master planned architecture, landscape and environmental sculpture, realization of the vision of renowned architect Ed Killingsworth. Specialized instruction facilities support the sciences, engineering, nursing, computer studies, fine arts, film studies, research centers and more. Outstanding performance venues include the Carpenter Performing Arts Center, the Martha Knoebel Dance Center and the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music Daniel Recital Hall. Athletic competitions and major events are offered in the Walter Pyramid, while cultural and educational programs are the focus of the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden. Student activities and organizations are housed in the University Student Union, located in the center of campus to best serve its community. While a large urban university, CSULB offers an environment that encourages small group identification and personal privacy in the midst of 40,000 persons sharing the same campus.
Carnegie Classification of Institutional Characteristics
Basic Type
Master's Colleges and Universities (larger programs)
Size and Setting
Large four-year, primarily nonresidential
Enrollment Profile
High undergraduate
Undergraduate Profile
Medium full-time four-year, selective, higher transfer-in
Undergraduate Instructional Program
Balanced arts & sciences/professions, high graduate coexistence
Graduate Instructional Program
Postbaccalaureate comprehensive
NOTE: Institutional classifications based on the Carnegie 2005 edition.
California State University, Long Beach College Portrait
- California State University, Long Beach
- 1250 Bellflower Blvd. Long Beach, CA 90840
- (562) 985-5471
- http://www.csulb.edu
Undergraduate Profile
| Total Undergraduate Students | 29,226 | |
|---|---|---|
| Gender | ||
| Women | 17,318 | 59% |
| Men | 11,908 | 41% |
| Race/Ethnicity | ||
| International | 1,252 | 4% |
| Race/Ethnicity Not Reported | 2,684 | 9% |
| African American / Black | 1,423 | 5% |
| American Indian / Alaskan Native | 167 | 1% |
| Asian / Pacific Islander | 6,881 | 24% |
| Hispanic | 8,457 | 29% |
| White | 8,362 | 29% |
| Geographic Distribution (Degree-Seeking) | |
|---|---|
| California | 96% |
| Other US States & Territories | 1% |
| Other Countries | 3% |
| Age (Degree-Seeking) | |
| Average Age | 23 |
| Percent of Undergraduates Age 25 or Older | 18% |
California State University, Long Beach College Portrait
- California State University, Long Beach
- 1250 Bellflower Blvd. Long Beach, CA 90840
- (562) 985-5471
- http://www.csulb.edu
Undergraduate Success and Progress Rate
A 91% four-year success and progress rate means that 91% of students starting in Fall 2003 either graduated or are still enrolled at a higher education institution four years later.
Counts for the Fall 2003 entering class shown in the graph above.
- 3,340 First-Time, Full-Time Students
- 2,127 Full-Time Transfer Students
Retention of Fall 2008 First-Time, Full-time Students
First-time students in Fall 2008 that returned for their second year: 86%
California State University, Long Beach College Portrait
- California State University, Long Beach
- 1250 Bellflower Blvd. Long Beach, CA 90840
- (562) 985-5471
- http://www.csulb.edu
Costs of Attendance and Financial Aid
Typical Undergraduate Costs per Year without Financial Aid (Full-Time, In-State Students)
Total Typical Cost of Attendance: $20,413
The cost to attend California State University, Long Beach varies based on the individual circumstances of students and may be reduced through grants and scholarships.
Financial Aid Awarded to Undergraduates
Annual Need-Based Scholarships & Grants
• 49% of 2009-10 full-time undergraduates received need-based grants or scholarships; the average award for the year was $5,697
Annual Need-Based Loans
• 58% of 2009-10 full-time undergraduates received need-based work-study and/or loans (not including parent loans); the average loan for the year was $3,573
Percent of 2007-08 First-Time Students Receiving Each Type of Financial Aid
NOTE: Students may receive aid from more than one source.
California State University, Long Beach College Portrait
- California State University, Long Beach
- 1250 Bellflower Blvd. Long Beach, CA 90840
- (562) 985-5471
- http://www.csulb.edu
Academic Preparation of New Freshmen
Test(s) Required for Admission: SAT or ACT recommended
| Middle 50% of Test Score Range | ACT | SAT |
|---|---|---|
| Composite | 18 - 24 | |
| Math | 18 - 25 | 460 - 590 |
| English | 17 - 24 | |
| Critical Reading | 440 - 560 |
50% of admitted students have test scores within the ranges listed, 25% have scores above, and 25% have scores below.
| High School Background | ||
|---|---|---|
| Percent in top 25% of High School Graduating Class | 84% | |
| Percent in top 50% of High School Graduating Class | 100% | |
| Percent of New Freshmen who submitted HS Class Rank | 69% | |
| Average High School GPA (4-point scale) | 3.42 | |
| Percent who submitted High School GPA | 100% | |
Study At CSULB
| Classroom Environment | |
|---|---|
| Students per Faculty | 21 to 1 |
| Undergraduate classes with fewer than 30 students | 53% |
| Undergraduate classes with fewer than 50 students | 88% |
| Full-Time Instructional Faculty | |
|---|---|
| Total Faculty | 1,021 |
| % Women | 46% |
| % from Minority Groups | 29% |
| % with Highest Degree in Field | 85% |
California State University, Long Beach College Portrait
- California State University, Long Beach
- 1250 Bellflower Blvd. Long Beach, CA 90840
- (562) 985-5471
- http://www.csulb.edu
Campus Safety
As one of the safest major public universities in the nation, CSULB is dedicated to ensuring a peaceful and secure learning environment for its campus community. This commitment is reflected in the mission of CSULB’s University Police, who participate in multiple programs ranging from the promotion of campus-wide student success initiatives to tolerance and diversity training designed to better serve a wonderfully diverse ethnic population.
Degrees and Areas of Study
| Degrees awarded at California State University, Long Beach in 2008-09 | |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's | 6,685 |
| Master's | 1,686 |
| Total | 8,371 |
| Areas of study with the largest number of bachelors degrees awarded in 2008-09 | |
|---|---|
| Psychology, General | 6% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 5% |
| Speech and Rhetorical Studies | 5% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 5% |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 5% |
California State University, Long Beach College Portrait
- California State University, Long Beach
- 1250 Bellflower Blvd. Long Beach, CA 90840
- (562) 985-5471
- http://www.csulb.edu
Student Experiences and Perceptions
Institutions participating in the VSA program measure student involvement on campus using one of four national surveys. Results from the one survey are reported for a common set of questions selected as part of VSA. Following are the selected results from the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE). The questions have been grouped together in categories that are known to contribute to student learning and development. The results reported below are based on the responses of seniors who participated in the survey.
Group Learning Experiences
- 90% percent of seniors worked with classmates on assignments outside of class.
- 51% of seniors tutored or taught other students
- 15% of seniors spent at least 6 hours per week participating in co-curricular activities such as student organizations and intramural sports
Active Learning Experiences
- 82% of seniors spent at least 6 hours per week preparing for class
- 10% of seniors worked on a research project with a faculty member
- 31% of seniors participated in an internship, practicum, or field experience
- 48% of seniors participated in community service or volunteer work
- 8% of seniors participated in study abroad
- 93% of seniors made at least one class presentation last year
Institutional Commitment to Student Learning and Success
- 97% of seniors believe this institution provides support for student success
- 72% of seniors rated the quality of academic advising at this institution as good or excellent
- 65% of seniors reported that this institution provided help in coping with work, family and other non-academic responsibilities
- 94% of seniors reported working harder than they thought they could to meet an instructor's standards or expectations
Student Interaction with Campus Faculty and Staff
- 50% of seniors believed that the campus staff were helpful, considerate, or flexible
- 73% of seniors believed that faculty are available, helpful, or sympathetic
- 93% of seniors reported that faculty members provided prompt feedback on their academic performance
- 61% of seniors discussed readings or ideas with faculty members outside of class
Experiences with Diverse Groups of People and Ideas
- 67% of seniors reported that they often tried to understand someone else's point of view
- 91% of seniors reported their experience at this institution contributed to their understanding people of other racial and ethnic backgrounds
- 61% of seniors often had serious conversations with students of a different race or ethnicity
Student Satisfaction
- 86% of seniors would attend this institution if they started over again
- 87% of seniors rated their entire educational experience as good or excellent
- 74% of seniors reported that other students were friendly or supportive
California State University, Long Beach College Portrait
- California State University, Long Beach
- 1250 Bellflower Blvd. Long Beach, CA 90840
- (562) 985-5471
- http://www.csulb.edu
Student Learning Assessment at California State University, Long Beach
All colleges and universities use multiple approaches to measure student learning. Many of these are specific to particular disciplines, many are coordinated with accrediting agencies, and many are based on outcomes after students have graduated.
The campus supports the assessment of student learning as an integral part of its core commitment to graduate students with highly valued degrees. Assessment at CSULB is overseen by the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs and Dean of Graduate Studies and coordinated by the Director of Program Review and Assessment. Responsibility for determining student learning outcomes, developing and implementing assessment plans, and using the results of assessment for program improvement has been delegated to the colleges. Each college has an assessment coordinator and each college receives funding for assessment from the Division of Academic Affairs.
Pilot Project to Measure Core Learning Outcomes
Colleges and universities participating in the College Portrait measure the typical improvement in students' abilities to think, reason, and write using one of three tests. This is part of a pilot project to better understand and compare what students learn between their freshman and senior years at different colleges and universities.
Results from the Collegiate Learning Assessment
The Collegiate Learning Assessment (CLA) measures critical thinking, analytic reasoning, problem solving, and written communication using a performance task and an analytic writing task. The scores from the tasks are reported separately below.
Performance Task Results for First-time, Full-time Students
The increase in learning on the performance task is well above what would be expected at an institution with students of similar academic abilities.
Freshman Score: 1138
Senior Score: 1210
CLA score range: 400 to no maximum score.
Average SAT scores for tested students
Freshman Score: 1070
Senior Score: 1034
Analytic Writing Task Results for First-time, Full-time Students
The increase in learning on the analytic writing task is well above what would be expected at an institution with students of similar academic abilities.
Freshman Score: 1177
Senior Score: 1232
CLA score range: 400 to no maximum score.
Average SAT scores for tested students
Freshman Score: 1070
Senior Score: 1034