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California State University-Long Beach vs University of California-Los Angeles

MSN 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-Long Beach
$8,442 vs $13,883
Easier to get into
California State University-Long Beach
47.1% vs 8.7% 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-Los Angeles
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.
Program typeMSNMSN
Formatin personin person
LocationLong Beach, CALos Angeles, CA
Length24 months24 months
NCLEX pass rate99.3%
Acceptance rate47.1%BEST8.7%
Avg accepted GPA
Min GPA
Entrance exam
Total tuition$8,442 in / $17,946 outBEST$13,883 in / $28,985 out
In-state tuition$8,442BEST$13,883
Out-of-state tuition$17,946BEST$28,985
Clinical placement
AccreditationSCORECARD_BASELINESCORECARD_BASELINE

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, California State University-Long Beach or University of California-Los Angeles?

California State University-Long Beach is the more affordable option at roughly $8,442, compared to $13,883. 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-Los Angeles 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-Long Beach and University of California-Los Angeles?

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.