Undergraduate Costs
Cost of Attendance, or a budget, is broadly defined as the average cost to attend CSULB for one academic year, which consists of the Fall and Spring semesters. The Cost of Attendance helps you and the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office determine approximately how much money you need to attend CSULB, and how much financial aid you need to meet that goal.
Expenses | Commuter | On-Campus | Off-Campus |
|---|---|---|---|
Tuition and Mandatory Fees | $8,312 | $8,312 | $8,312 |
Living Expenses (housing and food) | $11,836 | $17,382 | $22,752 |
Books, Course Materials, Supplies, and Equipment | $1,590 | $1,590 | $1,590 |
Transportation | $1,818 | $1,252 | $1,990 |
Miscellaneous Personal Expenses | $4,140 | $3,286 | $5,068 |
TOTAL | $27,696 | $31,822 | $39,712 |
Expenses | Commuter | On-Campus | Off-Campus |
|---|---|---|---|
Non-Resident Tuition | $11,544 | $11,544 | $11,544 |
Tuition and Mandatory Fees | $8,312 | $8,312 | $8,312 |
Living Expenses (housing and food) | $11,836 | $17,382 | $22,752 |
Books, Course Materials, Supplies, and Equipment | $1,590 | $1,590 | $1,590 |
Transportation | $1,818 | $1,252 | $1,990 |
Miscellaneous Personal Expenses | $4,140 | $3,286 | $5,068 |
TOTAL | $39,240 | $43,366 | $51,256 |
The CSU makes every effort to keep student costs to a minimum. Fees listed in published schedules or student accounts may need to be increased when public funding is inadequate. Therefore, CSU must reserve the right, even after fees are initially charged or initial fee payments are made, to increase or modify any listed fees. All listed fees, other than mandatory systemwide fees, are subject to change without notice, until the date when instruction for a particular semester or quarter has begun. All CSU listed fees should be regarded as estimates that are subject to change upon approval by the Board of Trustees, the Chancellor, or the Presidents, as appropriate. Changes in mandatory systemwide fees will be made in accordance with the requirements of the Working Families Student Fee Transparency and Accountability Act (Sections 66028 - 66028.6 of the Education Code).
Cost of Attendance Components:
- Tuition and Mandatory Fees: Cost paid to CSULB for courses, includes mandatory campus fees
- Living Expenses (housing and food): The typical cost per academic year to live in Long Beach while attending CSULB. Actual costs may vary by individual choices related to location and circumstances (on-campus, off-campus, living at home)
- Commuter Room and Board reflect the lower costs of living at home
- On-Campus Room and Board is the average housing contract amount plus the 21-meal option
- Off-Campus Room and Board assume a roommate
- Books, course materials, supplies, and equipment: The average cost of books course materials, supplies, and equipment per academic year. This includes the cost of a computer.
- Transportation: The average transportation cost of traveling to and from CSULB
- Amount does not include car payments, insurance, parking, or vehicle maintenance
- Miscellaneous Personal Expenses: The average amount for personal expenses—from clothing and laundry to going to a movie or buying a pizza—each year
The Cost of Attendance provides an estimate of typical costs students may encounter while enrolled. Actual costs will vary based upon the specific unique circumstances, choices, and living situations of each student. Students and their families are encouraged to use the cost of attendance information provided to budget, compare, and plan out their specific expected expenses.
For informational purposes only: In accordance with California Assembly Bill 990 and California Senate Bill 467, California State University, Long Beach provides thetypicalmarket costs of the following*:
1 Bedroom Apartment: $1,825 per month
2 Bedroom Apartment: $2,395 per month
Renting a Room in a Private Home: $1,250 per month
*Data sources: zumper.com, zillow.com, roomies.com, apartments.com as of February 2025
Resources:
CSULB provides several tools to help you estimate the costs associated with earning your degree. We encourage students to use them in order to have a better understanding of the true cost of attendance.
- Net Price and Cost Calculator
By answering a few simple questions, the CSULB Net Price and Cost Calculator will present you with an early estimate of your full-time cost of attendance and financial aid at CSULB.
- College Scorecard
With the College Scorecard, you can see annual costs at CSULB that factor in room & board, student aid, and your family income.
- CSULB Tuition and Fees
Review the current Tuition & Fees information for CSULB.
- University Housing and Residential Life
Research the room and meal rates for On-Campus Housing.
