California State University, Long Beach vs California State University-San Marcos
RN to BSN programs compared — side-by-side on NCLEX pass rates, tuition, admissions, and format.
At a glance
Side-by-side details
Best value in each row is highlighted.
| California State University, Long Beach RN to BSN | California State University-San Marcos RN to BSN | |
|---|---|---|
| Program type | RN to BSN | RN to BSN |
| Format | in person | in person |
| Location | Long Beach, CA | San Marcos, CA |
| Length | 24 months | 24 months |
| NCLEX pass rate | 99.3%BEST | 96.1% |
| Acceptance rate | 47.1% | 95.7%BEST |
| Avg accepted GPA | 3.6 | — |
| Min GPA | — | — |
| Entrance exam | TEAS | — |
| Total tuition | $14,016 | $7,739 in / $19,619 outBEST |
| In-state tuition | $7,008BEST | $7,739 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $18,888BEST | $19,619 |
| Clinical placement | arranged | — |
| Accreditation | CCNE | CCNE |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has a higher NCLEX pass rate, California State University, Long Beach or California State University-San Marcos?
California State University, Long Beach's RN to BSN program has the higher first-attempt NCLEX pass rate at 99.3%, compared to 96.1% 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-San Marcos?
California State University-San Marcos is the more affordable option at roughly $7,739, 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-San Marcos 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-San Marcos?
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.