Long Beach Acceptance Rate 2026: 45.4%, GPA, SAT, CSULB Index & Admissions Guide
Direct answer: Cal State Long Beach / CSULB reported 88,276 first-time first-year applicants and 40,105 admits in its latest Common Data Set, which equals an acceptance rate of about 45.4%.
Long Beach is not test-based admission. CSU and CSULB do not use SAT or ACT scores for admission; the main freshman review is driven by GPA, A-G course completion, the CSULB Index, STEM Index, local area preference, major capacity and accurate self-reported coursework.
This guide gives the useful answers first: acceptance rate, GPA, SAT/ACT policy, CSULB Index, STEM majors, deadlines, application steps, impacted majors, cost, video help, mistakes, FAQs and official CSULB links.
40,105 admits from 88,276 first-time first-year applicants.
Average high school GPA for enrolled first-time first-year students.
CSU does not use SAT or ACT to determine freshman admission.
CSULB lists Nov. 30, 2026 for Fall 2027 first-year applications.
Quick navigation for Long Beach applicants
Long Beach acceptance rate 2026: clear answer first
| Search question | Direct answer | What it means for applicants |
|---|---|---|
| Long Beach acceptance rate 2026 | About 45.4% from the latest CSULB Common Data Set. | CSULB is selective but reachable with a strong GPA/index and complete file. |
| Applicants | 88,276 first-time first-year applicants. | Competition is large, especially for popular majors. |
| Admits | 40,105 first-time first-year admits. | Many students are admitted, but many qualified students are also denied or redirected by major capacity. |
| Enrolled students | 5,884 enrolled first-time first-year students. | Admitted students still must accept, deposit and verify transcripts. |
| Residency pattern | Most applicants, admits and enrollees are California residents. | Out-of-state and international applicants should expect different competition and costs. |
Long Beach GPA, SAT and ACT: what is actually used?
GPA answer
Average enrolled GPA: 3.66. The latest CDS shows 99.44% of enrolled first-time first-year students submitted high school GPA.
SAT/ACT answer
Not used for admission. SAT and ACT scores can be used for placement after admission, but not for admission decisions.
California resident minimum
California residents need at least 2.5 GPA in college-prep subjects and the required CSULB Index or STEM Index.
Nonresident minimum
Non-California residents need at least 3.0 GPA in college-prep subjects and the required CSULB Index or STEM Index.
| GPA range among enrolled first-year students | Percent | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| GPA of 4.0 | 20.01% | A strong share of enrolled students had perfect reported GPA. |
| GPA 3.75–3.99 | 26.63% | High GPA applicants are common. |
| GPA 3.50–3.74 | 23.47% | Still a strong competitive range. |
| GPA 3.25–3.49 | 14.82% | Possible, but major and index matter more. |
| GPA 3.00–3.24 | 10.00% | More likely needs local preference, less impacted major or strong index fit. |
| GPA below 3.00 | 5.07% | Admission is harder; minimum eligibility alone may not be enough. |
CSULB Index and STEM Index: the admissions formula that matters
| Index type | Formula / rule | Who uses it |
|---|---|---|
| CSULB Index | (College-prep GPA × 200) + (500 × Math GPA) + (500 × English GPA) | Non-STEM majors and many other applicants. |
| STEM Index | (600 × Math GPA) + (600 × Science GPA) | Science, technology, engineering and math majors. |
| California resident minimum | 3,200 CSULB Index for non-STEM; 3,600 STEM Index for STEM. | California high school graduates and other California residents. |
| Nonresident minimum | 3,500 CSULB Index for non-STEM; 3,600 STEM Index for STEM. | Other non-California residents. |
| Local preference | Local applicants can have a stronger route when meeting major/index standards. | Local high school graduates or eligible military-connected local applicants. |
CSULB A-G course requirements for freshman admission
CSU requires a 15-unit college-preparatory subject pattern completed with grades of C or better before high school graduation.
| A-G area | Years | Applicant action |
|---|---|---|
| A. History / Social Science | 2 years | Include U.S. history/government and social science as required. |
| B. English | 4 years | English GPA matters in the CSULB Index. |
| C. Math | 3 years required; 4 recommended | Take math each year if applying to STEM, business, CS or engineering. |
| D. Laboratory Science | 2 years required; more recommended for STEM | STEM Index depends on math and science GPA. |
| E. Language other than English | 2 years | Complete before senior year if possible. |
| F. Visual / Performing Arts | 1 year | Music and Dance applicants also need audition review. |
| G. College-prep elective | 1 year | Use this to support intended major when possible. |
Cal State Long Beach application deadlines for 2026 planning
| Admission cycle | Application opens / available | Submission deadline | Applicant action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2026 admission | Oct. 1, 2025 | Dec. 1, 2025 | Past cycle; use as timing pattern reference only. |
| Fall 2027 admission | Aug. 1, 2026 available; official submission opens Oct. 1 | Nov. 30, 2026 | Work early, submit before final-day traffic and errors. |
| Application platform | Cal State Apply | CSULB deadline controls whether the campus is open. | Do not wait if your major is highly competitive. |
| Decisions | Normally made in March for fall admission. | Enrollment deposit due by May 1 if admitted. | Check email and applicant self-service regularly. |
Major choice matters at Long Beach
| Applicant type / major | How CSULB reviews it | What you should do |
|---|---|---|
| STEM majors | Reviewed with STEM Index that weights math and science. | Take stronger math/science courses and protect those grades. |
| Nursing | Admission is to Pre-Nursing; later major admission requires course/GPA milestones. | Complete additional math and science preparation beyond minimum when possible. |
| Music and Dance | Faculty audition is mandatory for eligible applicants. | Prepare audition requirements early; GPA/index is not the only factor. |
| Other majors / undeclared | Ranked by calculated CSULB Index and major space. | Choose major honestly; some majors admit to pre-major status. |
| Local applicants | Local area preference can help when minimum index is met. | Confirm local status based on high school or military criteria. |
| Non-local applicants | Ranked by index and space available. | Assume higher competition and apply to backup CSU campuses too. |
Long Beach admissions video guide
Watch the video, then use the checklist below to find what your CSULB application still needs.
CSULB tuition and cost for 2026–2027
Cost depends heavily on California residency and housing choice. Use cost of attendance, not tuition alone.
| 2026–2027 undergraduate cost item | California resident commuter | California resident on-campus | California resident off-campus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $6,838 | $6,838 | $6,838 |
| Mandatory fees | $1,910 | $1,910 | $1,910 |
| Housing | $4,652 | $12,034 | $16,676 |
| Food | $7,884 | $6,520 | $7,884 |
| Books/course materials/supplies/equipment | $1,806 | $1,806 | $1,806 |
| Transportation | $1,206 | $1,386 | $1,656 |
| Miscellaneous personal expenses | $4,564 | $3,968 | $5,706 |
| Total estimated COA | $28,860 | $34,462 | $42,476 |
CSULB application checklist: scan before submitting
Common mistakes that hurt Long Beach applicants
- Thinking SAT/ACT can boost admission: CSU does not use these scores for admission eligibility.
- Ignoring the CSULB Index: Math GPA and English GPA matter directly for non-STEM ranking.
- Ignoring the STEM Index: STEM majors are reviewed with math and science weight.
- Applying to an impacted major casually: Overall acceptance rate is not the same as major-specific difficulty.
- Reporting grades incorrectly: CSULB can withdraw admission if final records do not verify the application.
- Missing A-G courses: Minimum CSU subject requirements must be complete with C or better.
- Sending transcripts too early: CSULB says to submit documents only when requested before graduation.
- Skipping backup campuses: CSULB itself advises considering other colleges in case admission is not offered.
- Missing the Nov. 30 deadline: Do not assume late applications will be accepted.
- Forgetting cost differences: Housing and residency can change real cost more than tuition alone.
Official CSULB links and sources
The most important official details are already included above. Use these links to confirm current rules before applying.
Official source for applicants, admits, enrolled students, GPA distribution and average GPA.
Official GPA minimums, CSULB Index, STEM Index, major review and local/non-local rules.
Official CSULB Index and STEM Index formulas plus GPA calculation notes.
Official Cal State Apply, test score, document, status check and deposit guidance.
Official application opening dates, first-year deadline and term status.
Official CSU policy that SAT/ACT are not used for freshman admission eligibility.
Official 2026–2027 resident and nonresident undergraduate cost-of-attendance estimates.
Official application platform for CSU and CSULB first-year applicants.
FAQs about Long Beach acceptance rate 2026
What is the Long Beach acceptance rate for 2026?
For 2026 planning, Cal State Long Beach / CSULB had about a 45.4% acceptance rate based on 88,276 first-time first-year applicants and 40,105 admits in the latest Common Data Set.
Is Cal State Long Beach hard to get into?
CSULB is moderately selective. A 45.4% rate means admission is possible, but major capacity, GPA, index score and local preference can strongly affect your chances.
What GPA do you need for Cal State Long Beach?
California residents need at least 2.5 GPA in college-prep subjects, and nonresidents need at least 3.0 GPA. The average enrolled first-year GPA in the latest CDS was 3.66.
Does CSULB require SAT or ACT?
No. CSU and CSULB do not use SAT or ACT scores for admission eligibility. Scores can be used for placement after admission but not for the admission decision.
What is the CSULB Index?
The CSULB Index combines college-prep GPA, math GPA and English GPA. For non-STEM majors, the formula is GPA times 200 plus 500 times math GPA plus 500 times English GPA.
What is the STEM Index at CSULB?
The STEM Index is used for STEM majors and is calculated as 600 times math GPA plus 600 times science GPA.
When is the CSULB application deadline?
For Fall 2027 admission, CSULB lists the first-time first-year deadline as Nov. 30, 2026. Students should always confirm on the official Key Dates and Deadlines page.
Does major affect admission at Long Beach?
Yes. STEM, Nursing, Music, Dance and other impacted or pre-major programs can have different review rules, auditions, GPA milestones or space limits.
Should I send transcripts before admission?
CSULB says not to send high school transcripts before graduation unless requested. Admission decisions are based on self-reported application information and later verified with official records.
How much does CSULB cost for California residents?
For 2026–2027, CSULB lists estimated California resident undergraduate cost of attendance as $28,860 for commuters, $34,462 for on-campus housing and $42,476 for off-campus housing.