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California State University-Fresno 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

Lower tuition
California State University-Fresno
$8,414 vs $8,442
Easier to get into
California State University-Fresno
96.4% vs 47.1% acceptance

Side-by-side details

Best value in each row is highlighted.

California State University-Fresno
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
LocationFresno, CALong Beach, CA
Length36 months36 months
NCLEX pass rate99.3%
Acceptance rate96.4%BEST47.1%
Avg accepted GPA
Min GPA
Entrance exam
Total tuition$8,414 in / $17,918 outBEST$8,442 in / $17,946 out
In-state tuition$8,414BEST$8,442
Out-of-state tuition$17,918BEST$17,946
Clinical placement
AccreditationCCNESCORECARD_BASELINE

Frequently Asked Questions

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

California State University-Fresno is the more affordable option at roughly $8,414, compared to $8,442. Factor in residency status, financial aid, and program length when deciding — total cost matters more than annual tuition.

Are California State University-Fresno 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 California State University-Fresno 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.