California State University-Long Beach vs University of California-Davis
Both universities offer strong academic programs but differ significantly in selectivity and cost. UC Davis is slightly more competitive with a 37.3% acceptance rate compared to Cal State Long Beach's 40.0% rate, though both are moderately selective.
Cost and Value
The financial differences are substantial. Cal State Long Beach charges $7,008 in-state tuition versus UC Davis's $15,247, making Long Beach significantly more affordable. Average net prices reflect this gap at $8,931 versus $15,288 respectively. However, UC Davis graduates earn considerably more, with median 10-year earnings of $80,838 compared to Long Beach's $64,403. Both schools maintain reasonable debt loads under $15,000.
Academic Environment
UC Davis offers better student support with a 93.4% retention rate and 85.1% six-year graduation rate, compared to Long Beach's 85.3% and 69.9% respectively. Class sizes are similar, with student-faculty ratios of 21:1 at Davis and 19:1 at Long Beach. Both compete in NCAA Division I athletics.
Campus Experience
Long Beach serves 34,131 students in an urban coastal setting, while Davis enrolls 31,777 in a college town atmosphere. Long Beach provides access to Los Angeles opportunities, while Davis offers a more traditional campus-centered experience.
Student Fit
Cal State Long Beach suits budget-conscious students seeking quality education near major urban centers, while UC Davis better serves students prioritizing research opportunities and higher long-term earning potential who can manage increased costs.
Both universities offer strong academic programs but differ significantly in selectivity and cost. UC Davis is slightly more competitive with a 37.3% acceptance rate compared to Cal State Long Beach's 40.0% rate, though both are moderately selective.
Cost and Value
The financial differences are substantial. Cal State Long Beach charges $7,008 in-state tuition versus UC Davis's $15,247, making Long Beach significantly more affordable. Average net prices reflect this gap at $8,931 versus $15,288 respectively. However, UC Davis graduates earn considerably more, with median 10-year earnings of $80,838 compared to Long Beach's $64,403. Both schools maintain reasonable debt loads under $15,000.
Academic Environment
UC Davis offers better student support with a 93.4% retention rate and 85.1% six-year graduation rate, compared to Long Beach's 85.3% and 69.9% respectively. Class sizes are similar, with student-faculty ratios of 21:1 at Davis and 19:1 at Long Beach. Both compete in NCAA Division I athletics.
Campus Experience
Long Beach serves 34,131 students in an urban coastal setting, while Davis enrolls 31,777 in a college town atmosphere. Long Beach provides access to Los Angeles opportunities, while Davis offers a more traditional campus-centered experience.
Student Fit
Cal State Long Beach suits budget-conscious students seeking quality education near major urban centers, while UC Davis better serves students prioritizing research opportunities and higher long-term earning potential who can manage increased costs.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| California State University-Long Beach | University of California-Davis | |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | 40.0% | 37.3% |
| Enrollment | 34,131 | 31,777 |
| In-State Tuition | $7,008 | $15,247 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $18,888 | $46,024 |
| Net Price | $8,931 | $15,288 |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 69.9% | 85.1% |
| Retention Rate | 85.3% | 93.4% |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $64,403 | $80,838 |
| Median Debt | $14,289 | $13,000 |
Top Programs by Earnings
Top 5 bachelor's programs at each school, ranked by median graduate earnings.
| California State University-Long Beach | University of California-Davis | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Program | Earnings | Program | Earnings |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | $85,795 | Computer Engineering. | $82,440 |
| Construction Engineering Technologies. | $81,175 | Computer and Information Sciences, General. | $81,609 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering. | $73,949 | Engineering, General. | $70,370 |
| Computer Engineering. | $68,499 | Civil Engineering. | $67,516 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | $67,287 | Mechanical Engineering. | $67,324 |