Highly Valued Degrees

Whether you call it California State University, Long Beach, or Long Beach State, Cal State Long Beach, Long Beach State University, the 49ers, CSULB, or The Beach, we answer to each name with pride. As alumni, students, and employees we are proud that the value of our degrees is enhanced by the considerable value of our institution and its significant contribution to meeting the public agenda.

California State University, Long Beach's stature as a Respected Major Regional University is evidenced by the more than 61,000 applications received from students wanting to attend last year. With an annual student population of approximately 36,870, CSULB has the largest enrollment among the CSU system's 23 campuses and is the second largest university in California, and the 25th Largest University in the Nation (National Center for Educational Statistics). It is ranked for the 4th consecutive year as One of the Top Five Public Comprehensive Universities in the Western United States (US News and World Report's "American's Best Colleges Guide." 20008 edition), the 3rd Best Value Public University among All American Public Colleges and Universities (Princeton Review's American's Best Value Colleges ranking, 2007 edition). CSULB has national recognition as a Hispanic-Serving Institution, one of 212 institutions across the United States (Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities). The College of Business Administration is Recognized Among the Nation's Best and was acknowledged with Special Recognition to Executive, Part-Time, and Evening MBA Programs. (Princeton Review's Best of 237 Business Schools).

California State University, Long Beach Graduates Are A Source of Pride. Since 1950, more than 235,000 Baccalaureate and Masters Degrees have been awarded. CSULB produced 8,066 graduates in 2006-07 -- 1,301 with business degrees, 439 engineers, 2,188 health and human services degrees, including 275 in nursing, 2,344 in liberal arts, 738 degrees in the performing arts, 375 scientists, and 668 teachers (Institutional Research Graduation Data). It is the 2nd Highest Producer of Bachelor's Degrees Awarded and the Top University Nationally Among All Comprehensive Master's Universities (National Center for Educational Statistics). It is ranked the 8th Best University in the Nation for Conferring Bachelor's Degrees to Minority Students (Diverse Issues in Higher Education ranking, 2007). It is the 1st in the Nation for Awarding Mathematics and Statistics Graduate Degrees to Minority Students (Diverse Issues in Higher Education ranking, 2007). It is the 1st in the Nation by Number of Graduates Who Go On To Earn Doctoral Degrees in Science and Engineering (National Science Foundation survey of baccalaureate-origin institutions of research doctoral recipients, 1995-2004).

California State University, Long Beach Generates Significant Economic Activity in the Southern California Region. Its direct impacts are measured by its expenditures in goods, services, salaries and benefits. The presence of the university also leads to indirect expenditures in the region, as suppliers to the university spend on payroll and materials, and employees and pensioners spend the income in the local economy. Furthermore, the regional economic expenditures and the subsequent "multiplier" effects of all these factors are considerable. When all the effects are measured, CSULB generates an annual economic impact of $1,034 billion in the Southern California region (2003-2004 data). The Appropriations investment that the State of California accounts for only 43 percent of the University's revenue, yet for every dollar of State Appropriations income invested in California State University, Long Beach, the University generates another $4.33 in economic activity (CSULB Economic Impact Report, 2003-2004).

California State University, Long Beach Degrees Are A Source of Economic Value to Graduates and the Nation. The average income of a high school graduate is half that of a college graduate. In terms of lifetime income, a typical high school graduate would expect, in 2004 value terms, an income of $940,000. By comparison a typical college graduate would expect to earn, in 2004 value terms, $1.8 million or almost twice as much as an individual with only a high school education (CSULB Economic Impact Report, 2003-2004). An investment in higher education returns to the people of California. It benefits our state, our nation, and makes the county competitive in an increasingly global economy. Higher education is an investment in the public agenda.