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California State University-Fullerton vs California State University, Long Beach

RN to BSN programs compared — side-by-side on NCLEX pass rates, tuition, admissions, and format.

Updated Reviewed by NurseWay Editorial Team

At a glance

Higher NCLEX pass rate
California State University, Long Beach
99.3% vs 97.0%
Lower tuition
California State University-Fullerton
$7,073 vs $14,016
Easier to get into
California State University-Fullerton
86.7% vs 47.1% acceptance

Side-by-side details

Best value in each row is highlighted.

California State University-Fullerton
RN to BSN
California State University, Long Beach
RN to BSN
Program typeRN to BSNRN to BSN
Formatin personin person
LocationFullerton, CALong Beach, CA
Length24 months24 months
NCLEX pass rate97.0%99.3%BEST
Acceptance rate86.7%BEST47.1%
Avg accepted GPA3.6
Min GPA
Entrance examTEAS
Total tuition$7,073 in / $18,953 outBEST$14,016
In-state tuition$7,073$7,008BEST
Out-of-state tuition$18,953$18,888BEST
Clinical placementarranged
AccreditationCCNECCNE

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has a higher NCLEX pass rate, California State University-Fullerton or California State University, Long Beach?

California State University, Long Beach's RN to BSN program has the higher first-attempt NCLEX pass rate at 99.3%, compared to 97.0% for the other program. NCLEX pass rates are the single best signal of how well a program prepares students for licensure.

Which is cheaper, California State University-Fullerton or California State University, Long Beach?

California State University-Fullerton is the more affordable option at roughly $7,073, compared to $14,016. Factor in residency status, financial aid, and program length when deciding — total cost matters more than annual tuition.

Are California State University-Fullerton and California State University, Long Beach the same type of program?

Both are RN to BSN programs, so they award the same credential. Compare them on NCLEX pass rate, tuition, length, and location to find the better fit.

How do I decide between California State University-Fullerton and California State University, Long Beach?

Start by ruling out programs you can't get into (compare your GPA against each school's admissions stats), then weight what matters most — NCLEX pass rate for quality, total tuition for cost, length for time-to-degree, and format (online, hybrid, in-person) for lifestyle. Use NurseWay's free intake to get a personalized fit score for both.

Want a personalized fit score?

Take the free 3-minute intake and we'll rank both programs against your GPA, location preferences, and budget.