Introduction
Choosing the right university for your higher education can be a daunting task. In this article, we will compare two popular universities, Cal State Long Beach and Oregon State University, across various factors such as costs, admissions, academics, diversity, and outcomes. This comparison will help prospective students make an informed decision about which institution is the best fit for them.
Cal State Long Beach Overview
Cal State Long Beach is a public university located in Long Beach, California. Established in 1949, the university has a sprawling campus that spans 322 acres. It offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs across a variety of disciplines. Cal State Long Beach is known for its strong programs in engineering, art, and design.
Cal State Long Beach Costs & Tuition
Tuition fees at Cal State Long Beach are relatively low, with in-state undergraduate students paying around $6,834 per year and out-of-state students paying about $18,714 per year. Financial aid is also available for eligible students, with over 70% of students receiving some form of aid. The average amount of aid received by students is around $8,560.
Cal State Long Beach Admissions
Cal State Long Beach has a competitive admissions process, with an acceptance rate of around 31%. The average high school GPA of admitted students is 3.89. The university requires applicants to submit SAT or ACT scores, with an average SAT score of 1140 and an average ACT score of 23 among admitted students.
Cal State Long Beach Degrees Offered
The university offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in a wide range of disciplines, including liberal arts, sciences, engineering, business, and education. Some of the popular majors at Cal State Long Beach are business administration, engineering, and visual and performing arts.
Cal State Long Beach Academics
The student-faculty ratio at Cal State Long Beach is 23:1, ensuring personalized attention and support for students. The university boasts a high first-year student retention rate of 89%, indicative of student satisfaction with the academic experience.
Cal State Long Beach Diversity
Cal State Long Beach has a diverse student body, with approximately 58% of students identifying as belonging to an ethnic minority. The university is committed to providing an inclusive environment for all students and offers numerous resources and support services for underrepresented groups.
Cal State Long Beach Students
The university has more than 37,000 students enrolled, including over 32,000 undergraduate students and around 5,000 graduate students. The majority of students at Cal State Long Beach are full-time students, with 75% of undergraduates and 56% of graduate students enrolled on a full-time basis.
Cal State Long Beach Campus
Cal State Long Beach’s expansive campus includes state-of-the-art facilities such as the Walter Pyramid, an iconic sports complex, and the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden. The university also offers a variety of on-campus housing options and vibrant student life, with numerous clubs, organizations, and events for students to engage in.
Cal State Long Beach Alumni
Notable alumni from Cal State Long Beach include Steven Spielberg, director and producer; Misty May-Treanor, Olympic gold medalist; and Karen Carpenter, singer and musician. The university has an active alumni network that offers various resources, events, and networking opportunities for graduates.
Cal State Long Beach Rankings
Cal State Long Beach consistently ranks among the top public universities in the United States. In the 2021 edition of U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges, Cal State Long Beach ranked 14th among regional universities in the West and 6th among public schools in the same region.
Cal State Long Beach Outcomes
Cal State Long Beach has a strong track record of successful outcomes for its graduates. The university reports a six-year graduation rate of around 69% and a post-graduation employment rate of nearly 87% for those who complete their degrees.
Oregon State University Overview
Oregon State University (OSU) is a public research university located in Corvallis, Oregon. Established in 1868, OSU is one of the most well-respected institutions in the Pacific Northwest. It offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs across various disciplines, with a particular focus on research and innovation.
Oregon State University Costs & Tuition
In-state undergraduate students at Oregon State University pay roughly $11,166 per year in tuition, while out-of-state students pay approximately $31,215 per year. Financial aid is available for eligible students, and over 75% of students receive some form of aid. The average aid amount for OSU students is around $9,510.
Oregon State University Admissions
Oregon State University has an acceptance rate of about 82%, making it less competitive than Cal State Long Beach. The average high school GPA of admitted students is 3.61. Applicants are also required to submit SAT or ACT scores, with an average SAT score of 1180 and an average ACT score of 25 among admitted students.
Oregon State University Degrees Offered
OSU offers a variety of degree programs at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels, covering disciplines such as liberal arts, sciences, engineering, business, and education. Popular majors at Oregon State University include engineering, natural resources and conservation, and biological and biomedical sciences.
Oregon State University Academics
Oregon State University has a student-faculty ratio of 18:1, which is lower than that of Cal State Long Beach, potentially offering more personalized attention for students. The first-year retention rate at OSU is 84%, suggesting a high level of student satisfaction with the academic experience.
Oregon State University Diversity
OSU has a diverse student population, with approximately 24% of students identifying as belonging to an ethnic minority. The university is committed to creating an inclusive and supportive environment for all students and offers various resources and support services for underrepresented groups.
Oregon State University Students
Oregon State University has a total enrollment of over 32,000 students, including more than 25,000 undergraduate students and around 5,200 graduate students. The majority of students at OSU are full-time students, with 81% of undergraduates and 62% of graduate students enrolled on a full-time basis.
Oregon State University Campus
OSU’s 400-acre campus in Corvallis offers state-of-the-art facilities and resources for students, including the Valley Library, the Memorial Union, and numerous research centers and institutes. The university also provides a diverse range of on-campus housing options and a vibrant student life, with numerous clubs, organizations, and events for students to engage in.
Oregon State University Alumni
Notable alumni from Oregon State University include Linus Pauling, Nobel Prize-winning chemist; Douglas Engelbart, inventor of the computer mouse; and Joni Huntley, Olympic gold medalist. OSU maintains an active alumni network, providing various resources, events, and networking opportunities for its graduates.
Oregon State University Rankings
Oregon State University ranks highly among national universities in the United States. In the 2021 edition of U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges, OSU ranked 139th among national universities and 67th among public schools.
Oregon State University Outcomes
The six-year graduation rate at Oregon State University is around 67%, which is slightly lower than that of Cal State Long Beach. However, OSU reports a post-graduation employment rate of nearly 89% for those who complete their degrees, which is slightly higher than Cal State Long Beach’s rate.
Cal State Long Beach vs Oregon State University Cost Comparison
When comparing the costs of attending Cal State Long Beach and Oregon State University, it is important to consider factors such as tuition, financial aid, and living expenses.
For in-state students, Cal State Long Beach offers significantly lower tuition costs at $6,834 per year compared to Oregon State University’s $11,166 per year. For out-of-state students, Cal State Long Beach remains the more affordable option, with tuition fees of $18,714 per year compared to OSU’s $31,215 per year.
Both universities provide financial aid to eligible students, with around 70% of Cal State Long Beach students and over 75% of Oregon State University students receiving some form of aid. The average aid amount is similar at both institutions, with Cal State Long Beach students receiving an average of $8,560 and OSU students receiving an average of $9,510.
Living expenses can also impact the overall cost of attending university. While specific costs will vary depending on individual needs and preferences, the cost of living in Long Beach, California, is generally higher than that in Corvallis, Oregon. This may offset some of the tuition savings offered by Cal State Long Beach, particularly for out-of-state students.
Cal State Long Beach vs Oregon State University Admissions Difficulty
Admissions difficulty is measured by factors such as acceptance rate, average high school GPA, and average standardized test scores of admitted students.
Cal State Long Beach has a more competitive admissions process, with an acceptance rate of around 31% compared to Oregon State University’s 82% acceptance rate. This suggests that it may be more challenging to gain admission to Cal State Long Beach.
The average high school GPA of admitted students is higher at Cal State Long Beach (3.89) than at Oregon State University (3.61). The average SAT and ACT scores of admitted students are also slightly higher at Cal State Long Beach, with an average SAT score of 1140 and an average ACT score of 23, compared to OSU’s average SAT score of 1180 and average ACT score of 25.
Overall, gaining admission to Cal State Long Beach appears to be more challenging than gaining admission to Oregon State University.
Cal State Long Beach vs Oregon State University Academic Difficulty
The academic difficulty of a university can be assessed by factors such as student-faculty ratio, first-year retention rate, and the rigor of the curriculum.
Cal State Long Beach has a student-faculty ratio of 23:1, while Oregon State University has a slightly lower ratio of 18:1. This suggests that students at OSU may receive more personalized attention and support from faculty.
The first-year retention rate at Cal State Long Beach is 89%, compared to 84% at Oregon State University. This suggests that students at both institutions are generally satisfied with their academic experiences, although Cal State Long Beach has a slightly higher retention rate.
In terms of curriculum rigor, both universities offer challenging and comprehensive programs across a wide range of disciplines. However, the specific difficulty of the academic experience will depend on individual programs, courses, and faculty.
Cal State Long Beach vs Oregon State University Outcome Comparison
Comparing the outcomes for graduates of Cal State Long Beach and Oregon State University can provide insight into the potential return on investment of attending each institution.
Cal State Long Beach has a six-year graduation rate of around 69%, compared to 67% at Oregon State University. This suggests that students at Cal State Long Beach are slightly more likely to complete their degrees within six years.
The post-graduation employment rate for graduates who complete their degrees is similar at both institutions, with Cal State Long Beach reporting a rate of nearly 87% and Oregon State University reporting a rate of nearly 89%. This suggests that graduates from both universities have similar prospects for finding employment after graduation.
Overall, the outcomes for graduates of Cal State Long Beach and Oregon State University are comparable, with slight advantages for Cal State Long Beach in terms of graduation rate and for Oregon State University in terms of post-graduation employment rate.
