Cal State Fullerton vs Long Beach State: Softball Program Comparison
Two D1 programs in the Big West. Long Beach State runs $2,801 less per year out of state.
Which one is right for you?
Neither school is better in the abstract — they are better for different athletes. These are the differences big enough to actually decide on.
Lean Cal State Fullerton if…
- You want to leave with less owed: median debt at Cal State Fullerton is $539 lower than at Long Beach State.
- You want to play in June: Cal State Fullerton has reached 2 more NCAA tournaments than Long Beach State since 2021.
- You need an evaluation this summer: we track 1 camp at Cal State Fullerton against none listed at Long Beach State.
- You want the stronger program on paper: Cal State Fullerton rates strong against solid at Long Beach State.
Lean Long Beach State if…
- You are an out-of-state recruit and the number on the bill matters: Long Beach State lists $2,801 less per year in tuition and housing than Cal State Fullerton.
- Your transcript is a strength: Long Beach State admits 46% of applicants, so strong grades count for more here.
What it costs to go there
Published sticker price from IPEDS. Almost nobody pays it — athletic, academic and need-based aid all come off the top — but the gap between two schools is a fair read on the gap between two offers.
| Measure | Cal State Fullerton | Long Beach State |
|---|---|---|
| In-state tuition & fees | $7,073 | $7,008 |
| Out-of-state tuition & fees | $18,953 | $18,888 |
| Room & board | $18,348 | $15,612 — Long Beach State leads on this measure: lower room & board |
| Est. in-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $25,421 | $22,620 — Long Beach State leads on this measure: lower total in-state cost |
| Est. out-of-state year, all inTuition & fees plus room & board. Excludes books, travel and any aid. | $37,301 | $34,500 — Long Beach State leads on this measure: lower total out-of-state cost |
What you leave with
Federal College Scorecard figures for all students at the institution, not softball players specifically. Read them as a signal about the degree, not about the program.
| Measure | Cal State Fullerton | Long Beach State |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation rate | 69% | 70% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $62,951/yr | $64,403/yr |
| Median debt at graduation | $13,750 — Cal State Fullerton leads on this measure: less debt carried out the door | $14,289 |
| Debt as a share of year-10 payMedian debt divided by median earnings 10 years after entry. Lower is easier to pay back. | 22% | 22% |
Getting in, and what you'd walk into
Admissions and size. A coach can support your file, but at most schools they cannot admit you — the academic profile below is the bar you still have to clear.
| Measure | Cal State Fullerton | Long Beach State |
|---|---|---|
| Admission rateLower means more selective — harder to get in, but not automatically the better fit. | 91% | 46% |
| Total enrollmentNeither is better — it is the difference between a lecture hall and a seminar table. | 41,962 | 40,278 |
| Where it is | Fullerton, CA | Long Beach, CA |
The softball program itself
Division and conference set the ceiling; the postseason record and staff tell you what the program has actually done with it.
| Measure | Cal State Fullerton | Long Beach State |
|---|---|---|
| NCAA tournament, 2021-2026Furthest round reached each year. Division I only. | 4 of the last 6 tournaments | 2 of the last 6 tournaments |
| Program strengthCommitBound rating from division, conference level, postseason record and staff stability. | Strong | Solid |
| Head coach | Gina Oaks Garcia | Kendall Fearn |
How you actually get in front of them
Camps and questionnaires are the two channels a recruit controls. Where a program runs its own camp, that camp is usually the shortest path to being evaluated by the staff that would recruit you.
| Measure | Cal State Fullerton | Long Beach State |
|---|---|---|
| Camps we track | 1 listed (1 with dates) | — |
| Recruiting questionnaire | Yes | Yes |
| Program on X / Instagram | — | Yes |
Scholarship money, honestly
Both programs sit at NCAA Division I, so the scholarship rules are identical: up to 25 (2025 roster rules; traditionally 12). Full rides exist at the top programs, but most D1 softball players are on partial scholarships. Coaches historically split about 12 equivalencies across an entire roster, and even under the 2025 rules most programs fund well below the 25-scholarship maximum.
What to do about it this week
Questionnaires are exempt from NCAA contact-date rules, so you can submit one at any age. A program's own camp is where its staff does most of its evaluating — submit the questionnaire first so they know to look for you.
Cal State Fullerton
Open the recruiting questionnaireCamps we track
- August Titan Prospect Camp08/22/2026 · 13 - 22+ · $250
Long Beach State
Open the recruiting questionnaireCamps we track
None listed right now. Camp schedules go up through the winter — check the program's own site before ruling it out.
Cal State Fullerton vs Long Beach State: common questions
- Is Cal State Fullerton or Long Beach State cheaper?
- On published price, Long Beach State is cheaper — about $34,500 a year out of state in tuition and housing, against $37,301 at Cal State Fullerton. That is sticker price; athletic, academic and need-based aid all come off it, so ask both coaches what an actual offer would look like.
- Which school graduates more of its students, Cal State Fullerton or Long Beach State?
- Long Beach State, at 70% against 69% at Cal State Fullerton (IPEDS, 2023-24). That is the whole student body, not the softball roster.
- Do Cal State Fullerton and Long Beach State offer softball scholarships?
- Both play at NCAA Division I: up to 25 (2025 roster rules; traditionally 12). Full rides exist at the top programs, but most D1 softball players are on partial scholarships. Coaches historically split about 12 equivalencies across an entire roster, and even under the 2025 rules most programs fund well below the 25-scholarship maximum.
- Do Cal State Fullerton and Long Beach State run softball camps?
- We track 1 camp at Cal State Fullerton and none currently listed at Long Beach State. Camp listings change through the year — check the program's own site before ruling it out.
- How do I contact the coaches at Cal State Fullerton and Long Beach State?
- Both programs run a recruiting questionnaire, and that is the right first move — it is exempt from NCAA contact-date rules, so you can submit it at any age. Fill out both, then follow with an email to each staff.
Cost, graduation and enrollment figures from IPEDS (U.S. Dept. of Education, 2023-24). Earnings, debt and admission rates from the federal College Scorecard. Postseason results from the NCAA Division I softball tournament records, 2021-2026. Rankings from NCAA.com and U.S. News & World Report. Figures describe the institution, not the softball roster.
We work hard to keep all data for Cal State Fullerton and Long Beach State accurate and up-to-date, but we sometimes miss changes or get something wrong.
Still deciding between them?
Track both programs, log every coach you contact, and see where you actually stand against each one's recruiting profile.
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