Let’s be real for a second. If you’re looking up California State University Long Beach tuition, you’re probably staring at a screen, feeling a mix of excitement and "how am I going to pay for this?" dread. Long Beach—or "The Beach" as we call it—is gorgeous. The pyramid is iconic. The vibe is laid back. But the math? The math can feel like a headache.
Honestly, the numbers you see on the front page of a brochure are rarely what you actually end up paying. Whether you’re a local kid from Cerritos or coming from halfway across the country, understanding the 2025-2026 price tag requires a bit of digging.
The "Sticker Price" vs. Reality
For the 2025-2026 academic year, the base tuition for a full-time undergraduate California resident is sitting at $6,450.
Wait. Don't close the tab yet.
That $6k number is just the system-wide tuition. It doesn't include the mandatory campus fees, which add another **$2,004** to the bill. So, your starting line is actually closer to $8,454.
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If you aren't a California resident, things get significantly steeper. You have to tack on an additional $444 per unit. For a standard 15-unit semester, that’s an extra $6,660 per term. Basically, if you’re from out-of-state, you’re looking at a total tuition and fee bill of roughly **$21,774** for the year.
Why is it going up?
You might have heard the news: the CSU Board of Trustees approved a multi-year tuition increase. Starting in Fall 2024, tuition began climbing by 6% every year. It’s a five-year plan designed to fix aging buildings and hire more faculty. It’s controversial, sure, but it’s the reality for anyone graduating between now and 2029.
Breaking Down the Mandatory Fees
Most people ignore the "fees" section until the bill hits their student portal. It’s not just one lump sum; it’s a bunch of smaller charges that fund the stuff that makes campus life actually happen.
- University Student Union ($504): This keeps the lights on at the USU, the bowling alley, and those comfy chairs where everyone naps.
- Student Excellence Fee ($173): This goes toward tech upgrades and academic support.
- Instructionally Related Activities ($91): Think theater productions, the school paper, and athletics.
- Student Health Center ($88): Covers your basic check-ups and mental health services.
- Associated Students Inc. ($78): This is the student government budget.
There’s also a tiny $2 "Student Involvement and Representation Fee" (SIRF). Fun fact: you can actually opt out of that one in your MyCSULB portal if you’re really pinching pennies, though it mostly goes toward student lobbying in Sacramento.
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The Room and Board Situation
Unless you’re commuting from your parents’ house in Lakewood, housing is going to be your biggest expense. Probably bigger than the California State University Long Beach tuition itself.
For 2025-2026, living in the residential villages (Parkside, Hillside, or Beachside) isn't exactly cheap. A standard double room will run you about $10,400 for the academic year. If you want a single? That jumps to $11,460.
And you have to eat. Meal plans are mandatory for most residents.
- The 10 Meal Plan is roughly $4,618 a year.
- The 19 Meal Plan (for the perpetually hungry) is $5,362.
When you add it all up—tuition, fees, a double room, and a basic meal plan—an on-campus resident is looking at a "sticker price" of about $23,500 to $25,000 per year.
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How Most People Actually Pay Less
Here’s the part they don’t always shout from the rooftops: 78% of CSULB students receive some form of financial aid.
If your family makes less than $80,000 a year, there's a very high chance your base tuition is completely covered by the Cal Grant or the State University Grant (SUG). Even middle-income families (making up to $234,000!) often qualify for the Middle Class Scholarship, which can shave off a significant percentage of your tuition.
The BeachScholarships Hack
Seriously, use the "BeachScholarships" portal. It’s a single application that matches you with hundreds of internal campus awards. Most students are too lazy to finish the general application, so the pool of competition is smaller than you’d think. Applications usually open in January and close in March for the following year.
Surprising Costs You Haven't Thought Of
Books are a scam. We all know it. The university estimates about $1,078 a year for "books and supplies," but you can cut that in half if you use the library's reserve desk or rent digital copies.
Then there's parking. If you’re a commuter, a parking permit at CSULB is roughly $155 per semester. And trust me, finding a spot in Lot E7 at 10:00 AM is a competitive sport.
Is it worth it?
Long Beach is consistently ranked as a "Best Value" college by Money Magazine and Forbes. Why? Because while $25k a year sounds like a lot, the post-grad earnings for Beach alumni—especially in Engineering, Nursing, and Business—tend to justify the debt. Plus, compared to a UC or a private school like USC, you're getting a top-tier education for a fraction of the cost.
Your Next Steps
- Check your FAFSA/CADAA status: If you haven't submitted this by the April deadline, you're leaving money on the table. Do it tonight.
- Log into BeachScholarships: Fill out the general profile. It takes 20 minutes and could literally save you thousands.
- Run the Net Price Calculator: Go to the CSULB Financial Aid website and use their calculator. It’ll give you a much more accurate estimate based on your family's specific income than any generic article can.
- Evaluate the "Beachside" option: If you’re looking at housing, Beachside is off-campus but has its own pool and better parking. It’s often the same price as the main campus dorms but feels more like an apartment.