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California State University-Long Beach vs University of California-Irvine

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
University of California-Irvine
100% vs 98.8%
Lower tuition
California State University-Long Beach
$7,008 vs $14,237
Easier to get into
California State University-Long Beach
47.1% vs 25.6% acceptance

Side-by-side details

Best value in each row is highlighted.

California State University-Long Beach
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.
University of California-Irvine
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.
Program typeBSNBSN
Formatin personin person
LocationLong Beach, CAIrvine, CA
Length48 months48 months
NCLEX pass rate98.8%100%BEST
Acceptance rate47.1%BEST25.6%
Avg accepted GPA
Min GPA
Entrance exam
Total tuition$7,008 in / $18,888 outBEST$14,237 in / $45,014 out
In-state tuition$7,008BEST$14,237
Out-of-state tuition$18,888BEST$45,014
Clinical placement
AccreditationSCORECARD_BASELINECCNE

Frequently Asked Questions

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

University of California-Irvine's BSN program has the higher first-attempt NCLEX pass rate at 100%, compared to 98.8% 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 University of California-Irvine?

California State University-Long Beach is the more affordable option at roughly $7,008, compared to $14,237. 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 University of California-Irvine the same type of program?

Both are 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 University of California-Irvine?

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.