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

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 97.3%
Lower tuition
California State University-Sacramento
$7,602 vs $14,016
Easier to get into
California State University-Sacramento
93.6% vs 47.1% acceptance

Side-by-side details

Best value in each row is highlighted.

California State University, Long Beach
RN to BSN
California State University-Sacramento
RN to BSN
Program typeRN to BSNRN to BSN
Formatin personin person
LocationLong Beach, CASacramento, CA
Length24 months24 months
NCLEX pass rate99.3%BEST97.3%
Acceptance rate47.1%93.6%BEST
Avg accepted GPA3.6
Min GPA
Entrance examTEAS
Total tuition$14,016$7,602 in / $19,482 outBEST
In-state tuition$7,008BEST$7,602
Out-of-state tuition$18,888BEST$19,482
Clinical placementarranged
AccreditationCCNECCNE

Frequently Asked Questions

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

California State University, Long Beach's RN to BSN program has the higher first-attempt NCLEX pass rate at 99.3%, compared to 97.3% 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, Long Beach or California State University-Sacramento?

California State University-Sacramento is the more affordable option at roughly $7,602, 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, Long Beach and California State University-Sacramento 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, Long Beach and California State University-Sacramento?

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.