About CSULB
More Than a University
We believe that educating future leaders is more than just assigning pages in books. It's about opening doors to the world, encouraging questions and new ideas, celebrating diversity and embracing hard work. Here at Long Beach, we're more than a public university; we're a community. A community of supporters committed to changing lives through opportunities, creativity, and service.
A Closer Look
California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) is more than the beach. It’s more than a blue pyramid and nationally recognized art museum. The 322-acre campus is home to top-notch professors, successful alumni, and a diverse student body who want to make a difference with their education. The reasons for CSULB’s continued success are many and varied.
Did You Know
CSULB is one of the best value schools in the state, with low tuition fees, high social mobility rate, and earning potential after graduation.
There's A Reason Why Students Love it Here
CSULB takes care of its students, whether they need food, housing, or health services. They can find all that on campus.
There's a Reason The Beach is One of the Best
CSULB's reputation as one of the top schools in the country attracts many students when they choose a college to attend.
The Beach Supports a Sustainable Future
The university is committed to reducing its carbon footprint with solar panels, bike stations, and free bus passes.
No Barriers to Success
Students find that it makes sense financially to study at CSULB, with the university’s low tuition, aid packages, scholarships, and grants.
No Barriers to Opportunity
Students will discover many resources and avenues for success at CSULB.
About CSULB
More Than a University
We believe that educating future leaders is more than just assigning pages in books. It's about opening doors to the world, encouraging questions and new ideas, celebrating diversity and embracing hard work. Here at Long Beach, we're more than a public university; we're a community. A community of supporters committed to changing lives through opportunities, creativity, and service.
A Closer Look
California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) is more than the beach. It’s more than a blue pyramid and nationally recognized art museum. The 322-acre campus is home to top-notch professors, successful alumni, and a diverse student body who want to make a difference with their education. The reasons for CSULB’s continued success are many and varied.
Did You Know
CSULB is one of the best value schools in the state, with low tuition fees, high social mobility rate, and earning potential after graduation.
There's A Reason Why Students Love it Here
CSULB takes care of its students, whether they need food, housing, or health services. They can find all that on campus.
There's a Reason The Beach is One of the Best
CSULB's reputation as one of the top schools in the country attracts many students when they choose a college to attend.
The Beach Supports a Sustainable Future
The university is committed to reducing its carbon footprint with solar panels, bike stations, and free bus passes.
No Barriers to Success
Students find that it makes sense financially to study at CSULB, with the university’s low tuition, aid packages, scholarships, and grants.
No Barriers to Opportunity
Students will discover many resources and avenues for success at CSULB.
Life in Long Beach
Long Beach is a large city with a population of 492,000, located in Southern California, USA. It is situated in Los Angeles County, 20 miles (32K) south of downtown Los Angeles and 105 miles (169k) north of San Diego. Long Beach uniquely blends the character of a sophisticated urban area with the charm of a seaside community.
Life at CSULB Video
Close to Everything in Southern California!
Long Beach is so close to every terrain and climate that in one day, you could surf in the morning, snow ski in the afternoon, and come home and see a movie at night. Every famous Southern California landmark, attraction, and destination is easily within a two-hour drive from the city.
Sunny Days: 333
High: 23C
January High: 19C
July High: 28C
Humidity: 53%
The Most Livable City in Los Angeles County
Long Beach has been ranked by a leading consulting firm as “the large city with the highest quality of life” in Los Angeles county. Long Beach was placed at the top of the list based on such factors as low crime, good education, local attractions, climate, and the availability and affordability of housing.
Long Beach has been named the 10th most walkable city in the United States, and is the only Southern California city to make the Top 10 list this year.
For more information about Long Beach, CA, please visit www.longbeach.gov.
Housing
Please note: the following sections contain links to various third-party websites. CSULB is not responsible for any inaccuracies that may be found on those sites.
Students should apply in early April for the Fall semester and early November for the Spring semester. Applications are considered complete when payment is made, and considered in the order of completed application.
CSULB's University Housing has 3 residential colleges: Beachside, Hillside & Parkside. When applying for on-campus housing, you get to choose your preferred community to live in.
All rooms are approximately 15 x 11 feet and furnished with a bed, dresser, desk, chair, wastebasket, closet & mirror, and a microfridge. Residents must provide their own Bed Sets (blankets, sheets [twin extra long], pillowcases, bedspreads, towels, & study lamps).
For more information of on-campus housing (fees, meals, amenities, communities) and to apply, visit CSULB Housing and Residential Life website.
You can order bed sets and have them delivered to CSULB!
Visit the OCM website to view bedding options and make purchases.
You can have your purchase sent directly to Amazon@theBeach, which is on the CSULB campus. Packages received are held for 15 days. After 15 days the package will be returned.
Moving out of the dorms and need to ship your bed sets home?
Visit the Campus Copy Center inside of the University Bookstore for a full range of shipping services through UPS or U.S. Mail. Whether you need next day or standard shipping, we’ve got you covered. Shipping boxes and custom packages available.
Please visit the CSULB Off-Campus Housing website for additional resources.
The following options are NOT affiliated with CSULB.
APARTMENTS
Below are some popular apartment complexes students choose to stay.
- Beverly Plaza Apartments
- Park Avenue Apartments
- Alvista Apartments
- Pacific View Apartments
- CORT
- Most apartments in the U.S. are not furnished. CORT provides furniture rental packages and housing information for students living off-campus.
Students that are participating in Education Abroad can also use this convenient Facebook page to get in touch with exchange students who are leaving our university and offering a place in their apartment.
Homestay
Another type of off-campus housing is Homestay. With this option, you may stay in a room of a family's home. Click on the links to find the best homestay for yourself. (CSULB does not assume any responsibility for homestay providers, their business partners, or the Homestay Provider's clients. CSULB does not inspect homes, prepare contracts, nor place students with host families. Homestay agreements are between the tenant and the homestay provider. CSULB is not affiliated with any of the providers listed below.)
-
- Student International Housing
- Universal Student Housing (Agents/Groups)
- Homestay Match (Individual Students)
TEMPORARY STAY
Below are some options for temporary stay before you move into your permanent housing (on-campus residence halls, apartment, homestay, etc.).
OTHER HOUSING OPTIONS
International Student Clubs & Associations
CIE works very closely with many cultural clubs on campus. CIE staff are also advisors to the International Student Association (ISA), which aims to foster cultural exchange and build friendships globally. We support and collaborate with student groups for programs such as International Education Week, International Student Ally Training and ISA’s annual performance event. For more information, please go to the ISA website and the Cultural Organizations on campus websites below.
Public Transportation
For public transportation information around CSULB, view a map of Long Beach Transit Service to CSULB.
CSULB has partnered with Long Beach Transit to offer the U-PASS TAP Card Program, which provides free transit on all Long Beach Transit buses to eligible students
Study Abroad @ the Beach students are eligible to ride all Long Beach Transit (LBT) buses for free starting on the start date of their program (Orientation) under the CSULB UPASS (TAP card) program.
Obtaining TAP Cards
To obtain your U-PASS TAP card, visit the Cashier’s Office located on the 1st floor of Brotman Hall, Mon. – Fri., 9AM to 5PM. You must present your CSULB ID card to receive your TAP Card. Student cards are not active during times that they are not enrolled in classes
To use your TAP card simply tap the card on the TAP mobile validator and wait for the sound and screen that notifies you to proceed to your seat when you board an LBT bus.
A fee will be charged to replace a lost or discarded TAP card. TAP cards can be obtained at the Cashier’s Office at BH-148, Mon. – Fri. from 9AM to 5 PM.
How to use your TAP card
Your CSULB bus pass comes loaded on a TAP card. TAP cards are heavy plastic cards with a smart chip inside. The smart chip holds your CSULB bus pass. When you board an LBT bus, you will simply tap your TAP card on the TAP mobile validator. Wait for the sound and screen that notifies you to proceed, and then take a seat and you are on your way.
LBT Transit Buses to and from Campus
- 81
- 90s: 91, 92, 93, 94, 96
- 171
- 173
- Passport D
- CSULB Bus Map
Where can I ride LBT using a CSULB bus pass?
LBT serves Long Beach, Lakewood, Signal Hill, as well as parts of Artesia, Bellflower, Carson, Cerritos, Compton, Hawaiian Gardens, Los Alamitos, Norwalk, Paramount, and Seal Beach. To view the full LBT map, click the following link: LBT Transit Map.
Off-Campus Shuttle
CSULB will provide an Off-Campus Shuttle service to the high-density student area located near Los Coyotes Diagonal and Stearns Street. This is an area that has been identified as being without easy, direct access to LB Transit bus service to campus.
The shuttle is FREE to all currently enrolled students, as well as faculty and staff members with valid CSULB ID.
Monday to Thursday, 7:15AM – 11PM
Shuttles will arrive every 15 minutes. Full shuttle schedule with locations listed below:
- Stearns Street/Los Coyotes Diagonal — 12, 27, 42, 57 minutes past the hour
B. Ferro Street/Los Coyotes Diagonal — 0, 15, 30, 45 minutes past the hour
C. Garford Street/Park Avenue — 2, 17, 32, 47 minutes past the hour
D. Brotman Hall (CSULB) — 3, 18, 33, 48 minutes past the hour
Beachside Shuttle
Beachside shuttles run from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. weekdays (except Friday when shuttles stop running at 11 p.m.) and 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Shuttles run continuously every 15 to 20 minutes on weekdays before 7 p.m. and every 40 minutes after 7 p.m. and on weekends. Shuttle frequency may be affected by adverse traffic or weather conditions. Priority seating is offered to Beachside residents with valid Beachside ID sticker.
On Campus Shuttles
The university provides complimentary shuttle service around the campus. The shuttles run on compressed natural gas which produce 30% less emissions than standard diesel shuttles. The shuttles are a great way to get around campus, reduce your carbon footprint and alleviate the need to drive.
East Loop shuttles run north and south along the east side of campus.
West Loop shuttles run north and south along the west side of campus.
Both East/West Loops run every 15 minutes from 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
The All Campus Tripper shuttle runs in a clockwise direction around the entire CSULB campus. The Tripper runs continuously every 15 minutes from 7:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m. Monday through Thursday, and 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. pm Friday.
All shuttles operate during fall and spring semesters only. Shuttles will not run on days when the university is closed.
Click here for more information on CSULB Shuttles. Real-time GPS tracking of the shuttles and occupancy levels can be accessed via the CSULB Mobile App under “Transportation,” or by visiting www.csulb.ridesystems.net.
For students who would prefer taking public transportation to Los Angeles, please refer to the following basics in riding with Los Angeles Metro.
How to Ride
The first step in riding Los Angeles Metro is to decide your starting point, your destination, and the day and time you want to travel. To simplify that information, use the Metro Trip Planner, and you’ll get a customized itinerary of your trip in seconds, telling you what line to take, where to board, and where to exit and fees.
Metro’s base fare is $1.75. You can pay cash each time you board a Metro bus (bus operators don’t carry change, so you’ll need exact fare) or buy and add value to a reusable TAP card from TAP vending machines.
All fares can be pre-paid by loading a pass or Stored Valued (cash) on a TAP card and then tapping each time you board. On buses you can also pay for a single ride with a token or cash using exact change.
To learn more go to https://www.metro.net/
Transportation
Students discuss transportation to, from, and around CSULB.