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California State University-East Bay vs California State University-Long Beach

MSN 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 87.3%
Lower tuition
California State University-Long Beach
$8,442 vs $8,489
Easier to get into
California State University-East Bay
96.8% vs 47.1% acceptance

Side-by-side details

Best value in each row is highlighted.

California State University-East Bay
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.
California State University-Long Beach
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.
Program typeMSNMSN
Formatin personin person
LocationHayward, CALong Beach, CA
Length24 months24 months
NCLEX pass rate87.3%99.3%BEST
Acceptance rate96.8%BEST47.1%
Avg accepted GPA
Min GPA
Entrance exam
Total tuition$8,489 in / $17,993 out$8,442 in / $17,946 outBEST
In-state tuition$8,489$8,442BEST
Out-of-state tuition$17,993$17,946BEST
Clinical placement
AccreditationCCNESCORECARD_BASELINE

Frequently Asked Questions

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

California State University-Long Beach's MSN program has the higher first-attempt NCLEX pass rate at 99.3%, compared to 87.3% 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-East Bay or California State University-Long Beach?

California State University-Long Beach is the more affordable option at roughly $8,442, compared to $8,489. Factor in residency status, financial aid, and program length when deciding — total cost matters more than annual tuition.

Are California State University-East Bay and California State University-Long Beach the same type of program?

Both are MSN 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-East Bay 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.