CSULB Student Demographics: A Comprehensive Overview

California State University, Long Beach (CSULB), also known as Long Beach State University (LBSU), stands as a public research university in Long Beach, California. Established in 1949 to accommodate the post-World War II population boom in Southern California, CSULB has grown into a diverse and comprehensive institution. This article delves into the demographics of the CSULB student body, examining aspects such as gender, race/ethnicity, age distribution, and online enrollment.

Overall Enrollment

For the academic year 2023-2024, California State University-Long Beach enrolled a total of 40,278 students. Of these, 34,243 were undergraduate students, and 6,035 were graduate students. This figure is notably higher than the average enrollment of similar public research universities with high research activity, which stands at approximately 16,516 students.

Historical Context and Growth

The college was established in 1949 by California governor Earl Warren, to serve the rapidly expanding post-World War II population of Orange and Southern Los Angeles counties. The institution was first named as Los Angeles-Orange County State College. Carl W. McIntosh was named the college's second president in 1959. While McIntosh was president, the school's enrollment surged from about 10,000 to over 30,000, and he rapidly expanded and revamped the curriculum. McIntosh tripled the number of faculty and constructed 30 new campus buildings. In 1964, the school changed its name to California State College at Long Beach. The California State University Board of Trustees elevated the school to university status in 1972, along with 12 other state college campuses, based on total enrollment, size of graduate programs, complexity and diversity of majors and number of doctorates held by faculty at each college.

Gender Distribution

The student body at CSULB exhibits a significant gender disparity. Of the 40,278 students, 16,557 are male and 23,721 are female. This translates to a male-female ratio of approximately 41:59, indicating a predominantly female student population.

Race and Ethnicity

CSULB is known for its diverse student body. The university's enrollment statistics for the academic year 2023-2024 reveal the following distribution by race/ethnicity:

Read also: Student Employment at CSULB

White: 6,184 students
Black: 1,477 students
Asian: 8,123 students

A more comprehensive breakdown of the student population by race/ethnicity is available in the chart below. This data underscores CSULB's commitment to serving a diverse population, reflecting the demographics of Southern California.

Detailed Breakdown

The enrolled student population at California State University-Long Beach is 49.9% Hispanic or Latino, 20.2% Asian, 15.4% White, 4.51% Two or More Races, 3.67% Black or African American, 0.236% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders, and 0.109% American Indian or Alaska Native.

Age Distribution

The age distribution of students at CSULB is another important demographic characteristic. The university caters to a wide range of age groups, from traditional college-aged students to older adults seeking further education.

Under 18 years old: 604 students
Over 65 years old: 35 students
Under 25 years old: 30,726 students
Over 25 years old: 9,552 students

Specifically, within the undergraduate programs:

Under 18 years old: 604 students
Over 65 years old: 17 students
Under 25 years old: 28,718 students
Over 25 years old: 5,525 students

In graduate programs:

Read also: CSULB Scholarship Details

Under 25 years old: 2,008 students
Over 25 years old: 4,027 students

The age diversity score this school received indicates it is doing a good job attracting students of all ages.

Online Enrollment

Distance learning, also known as online education, has become an increasingly popular option for students, particularly those who wish to work while pursuing their education. At CSULB, a significant portion of the student body is engaged in online coursework. 2,085 students are enrolled exclusively in online courses, while 18,541 students are enrolled in some online courses.

Transfer Students

Among the 34,243 undergraduate students enrolled at CSULB, 4,438 have transferred from other institutions. This indicates that CSULB is a popular destination for students seeking to continue their education after starting at another college or university.

Admissions and Selectivity

California State University, Long Beach is amongst the most applied to campuses in the California State University system, receiving over 80,000 applicants with an average acceptance rate of 45%. In the Fall 2024 cohort, California State University, Long Beach saw over 83,000 applications from first-time freshmen, while more than 38,000 were granted admission. For masters and doctoral programs in the Fall 2023 cohort, the school received over 10,733 applications, while 3,270 applicants were granted admission.

Costs and Financial Aid

In 2023, the median undergraduate tuition at California State University-Long Beach is $5,742, which is $−18,833 less than the national average for Masters Colleges and Universities ($24,575). After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $9,731. In 2023, 73% of undergraduate students attending California State University-Long Beach received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 24% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans. In 2021 the default rate for borrower's at California State University-Long Beach was 0%, corresponding to 0 out of the 6,112 total borrowers. The average yearly cost of room and board at California State University-Long Beach was of $14,421 in 2023. The cost of room and board increased by 5.66% between 2022 and 2023. During the same period, the average yearly cost of books and supplies was $1,092. The cost of books and supplies increased by 2.06% during the same period.

Graduation and Degree Programs

In 2023, 11,086 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at California State University-Long Beach. 59.1% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 40.9% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was hispanic or latino (5,049 degrees), 2.28 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, asian (2,218 degrees). In 2023, 2,010 more women than men received degrees from California State University-Long Beach.

In 2023, the most specialized majors across all degree types at California State University-Long Beach, meaning they have significantly more degrees awarded in that concentration than the national average across all institutions, are Human Sciences (501 degrees awarded), Cultural & Gender Studies (127 degrees), and Visual & Performing Arts (1,048 degrees).

Campus Environment and Resources

The campus spans 323 acres (131 ha) across 84 buildings, and is located 3 miles (5 km) from the Pacific Ocean. CSULB is located at 1250 Bellflower Boulevard. The architecture of the campus is mainly of the International style (designed primarily by architect Edward Killingsworth). It is minimalist. It has earned design awards and awards from gardening societies. The integration of landscaping and architecture is apparent at the school's theater complex, where a dense grove of ficus trees is planted in such a way that it forms a continuation of the pillar-supported canopy at the theater's entrance. The University Student Union (USU) building is located at the center of campus. The Rec and Wellness Center is an extensive all-purpose athletic center covering about 125,000 square feet (11,600 m2) on North Campus. It was completed in 2010. It includes facilities for fitness programs and aerobics classes, courts for volleyball, basketball, badminton, rock climbing walls, an indoor track, a student lounge, and much more. 49er basketball and volleyball games are currently played in the iconic, eighteen-story Walter Pyramid (formerly known as the Long Beach Pyramid) located on north campus. The Pyramid is a sporting complex that can accommodate over 5,000 fans, including temporary seating and standing room. The University Art Museum's permanent collection contains primarily abstract expressionist paintings, works on paper, and an outdoor sculpture garden that began in 1966. The UAM was the first accredited museum in the CSU system.

A Hub for Arts, Culture, and Athletics

CSULB is not only an academic institution but also a vibrant center for arts, culture, and athletics. The campus newspaper, initially known as "The Forty-Niner," has evolved into the "Long Beach Current," reflecting the changing times. The university boasts a range of student-run media outlets, including 22 West Magazine and 22 West Radio, providing platforms for creative expression and journalistic pursuits.

In the realm of sports, Long Beach State competes in NCAA Division I, showcasing its talent in 18 sports teams. The university is branded as "Long Beach State" in sports and "Beach Athletics" became the official athletic program brand name in the 2020-21 school year. Long Beach State is home to one of the top women's volleyball teams in the nation. Long Beach State has won three national titles in women's volleyball, in 1989, 1993 and 1998. The men’s volleyball has won four national championships in 1991, 2018, 2019 and 2025. The team's most famous alumna is Misty May-Treanor, who won three Olympic gold medals in Beach Volleyball in 2004, 2008, and 2012.

Notable Alumni

CSULB has produced a diverse array of successful alumni who have made significant contributions in various fields. From filmmakers like Steven Spielberg and screenwriters like Linda Woolverton to athletes like Misty May-Treanor and Mark O'Meara, CSULB alumni have achieved excellence in their respective domains.

tags: #CSULB #student #demographics