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California State University-Long Beach vs Pacific College

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 73.4%
Lower tuition
California State University-Long Beach
$8,442 vs $38,120
Easier to get into
Pacific College
50% vs 47.1% 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.
Pacific College
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.
Program typeMSNMSN
Formatin personin person
LocationLong Beach, CACosta Mesa, CA
Length24 months24 months
NCLEX pass rate99.3%BEST73.4%
Acceptance rate47.1%50%BEST
Avg accepted GPA
Min GPA
Entrance exam
Total tuition$8,442 in / $17,946 outBEST$38,120
In-state tuition$8,442
Out-of-state tuition$17,946
Clinical placement
AccreditationSCORECARD_BASELINECCNE

Frequently Asked Questions

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

California State University-Long Beach's MSN program has the higher first-attempt NCLEX pass rate at 99.3%, compared to 73.4% 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 Pacific College?

California State University-Long Beach is the more affordable option at roughly $8,442, compared to $38,120. 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 Pacific College 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 Pacific College?

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.