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Azusa Pacific University vs California State University-Long Beach

DNP 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 89%
Lower tuition
California State University-Long Beach
$8,442 vs $130,800
Easier to get into
Azusa Pacific University
79.5% vs 47.1% acceptance

Side-by-side details

Best value in each row is highlighted.

Azusa Pacific University
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.
California State University-Long Beach
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.
Program typeDNPDNP
Formatin personin person
LocationAzusa, CALong Beach, CA
Length36 months36 months
NCLEX pass rate89%99.3%BEST
Acceptance rate79.5%BEST47.1%
Avg accepted GPA3.3
Min GPA
Entrance examTEAS
Total tuition$130,800$8,442 in / $17,946 outBEST
In-state tuition$17,330$8,442BEST
Out-of-state tuition$17,330BEST$17,946
Clinical placementarranged
AccreditationCCNESCORECARD_BASELINE

Frequently Asked Questions

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

California State University-Long Beach's DNP program has the higher first-attempt NCLEX pass rate at 99.3%, compared to 89% for the other program. NCLEX pass rates are the single best signal of how well a program prepares students for licensure.

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

California State University-Long Beach is the more affordable option at roughly $8,442, compared to $130,800. Factor in residency status, financial aid, and program length when deciding — total cost matters more than annual tuition.

Are Azusa Pacific University and California State University-Long Beach the same type of program?

Both are DNP 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 Azusa Pacific University 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.