California State University-Long Beach Reviews

  • 128 Reviews
  • Long Beach (CA)
  • Annual Tuition: $18,764
94% of 128 students said this degree improved their career prospects
95% of 128 students said they would recommend this school to others
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Student & Graduate Reviews

Rachel
  • Reviewed: 4/14/2021
  • Degree: Cultural Studies
"I attended CSULB for several years and received a degree in Chinese studies. I have to say this was probably the worst possible decision I made, but it was due to the fact that professors who had zero clue about jobs or the economy convinced me that this degree would be "valuable" and that "companies really need people who speak Chinese." I had more than one person tell me this, and since I did well in my classes that were Chinese I thought "why not?" I graduated with honors, participated in an extra language program, and well - there are NO jobs for people who major in this field. Zero. I was shooed-away at the career center with a "we cannot help someone with your major." The truth is businesses want someone who is natively bilingual, and they can easily fetch someone who is Chinese and grew up here with the right skill set. Businesses want business/data analyst/econ/math/science majors. Employment outcomes for this major are garbage. I only know of 1 person (yes ONE) who ended up becoming a Chinese teacher after living abroad and getting an MA in another country and a teaching credential (something the teachers at the BA level never tell you to get). They teach high school. Everyone else? Nope. For the rest of us Chinese is a side-note on our resume or we are asked "why did you study that?" it has zero market value in the real world. ZERO. The people who I knew who ended up successful were double majors with business (which isn't permitted anymore due to "impaction"). So please if you are considering this as a major RUN- the professors know nothing about work, and in some cases are just trying to be employed. As for the classes themselves they were a joke. I was able to get an A by studying maybe 2 hours a week (if that). My classmates were either Chinese Americans who were washed up and just trying to please their parents by saying they were studying about their culture (but couldn't get into chemistry/bio/engineering) or were Americans who were told the degree would be valuable. While there were about 2 talented teachers in this department (both lecturers) most of them were pathetic. We had a whole class on the i-ching- which we were forced to take because the Department Head at the time only wanted to run her classes so she could get her full hours in. Teachers loved to talk religion, politics, and other nonsense in class. Most of the culturally oriented classes could have been massively overhauled to be relevant to maybe working in law enforcement or government, but I doubt the fossils would want to touch their sacred syllabi to make it worthwhile to students. Reading assignments were at high-school level (or below). In one class students who couldn't write a sentence without a grammatical error ended up with Bs! At one point they were worried about the accreditation people coming (as they should be!). I know the graduate level Asian Studies stopped admitting people for a bit then restarted due to "issues." I think Chinese (language only) would be ok as a minor if you had an interest and were majoring in anything else. But please don't do it as your main major, as it is a MAJOR disappointment being unable to be employed anywhere. The college itself is massive- 30k students. Most people are commuters. During my time there I witnessed sexual harassment (no one did anything even after it was reported), there was a campus rapist, flasher, and also homeless who smacked people off their bikes (not making this up). I really don't have much that is positive to say about CSULB, except they just want your $$$$"
Moonbears
  • Reviewed: 7/13/2020
  • Degree: Mathematics
"I came to CSULB nearly burnt out of mathematics; here I found professors that mentored their students through the program; as a student wanting to go on into a PhD, I found several professors more than willing to help. I got one on one help at office hours many times, and found my classmates to be of a very high caliber mathematically. We were constantly discussing, and even ran our own graduate student seminar in geometric-topology. This place is a hidden gem, and will always be special in my heart. Go Beach!"
Danielle
  • Reviewed: 12/29/2019
  • Degree: Journalism
"My education at CSULB truly made me a global citizen. I was involved in multiple facets of campus life, from student organizations, sports clubs and professional development. I spent most of my time in the college of Liberal Arts, where I studied journalism and Anthropology. The journalism program was a tightly knit community in which all professors know students by name. Students are encouraged by faculty to pursue publishing opportunities for the articles and projects developed in class. I was on staff for three years at the Daily 49er newspaper, a fixture in the journalism department, run and evolved by students and faculty. I had a double major, so the other side of my education is defined by my being completely enraptured by my anthropology classes and professors. Part of the reason why I pursued a double major with anthropology was because the faculty at CSULB was so passionate, intriguing, and accommodating of differing cultural backgrounds and perspectives. Finally, I left CSULB bilingual because of the quality of the Spanish program. Although I am a native English speaker, I finished the program giving presentations in fluent Spanish, and eventually traveling abroad to utilize my Spanish language skills. Aside from the education opportunities, CSULB was always bustling with events, art and music shows, professional development events-- the list goes on. The school boasts over 300 clubs and organizations, so as a freshman I was presented with innumerable professional, social and athletic opportunities. In my mind, the cherries on top are the beautiful student union buildings and the two-tier gym. My only criticism would be that the school should offer more career workshops. While I feel I gathered professional skills, I found a lack of specified career development opportunities in the Liberal Arts Department."
Nancy Castaneda
  • Reviewed: 12/5/2019
  • Degree: School Counseling
"I had a wonderful educational experience at CSULB. Each and every one of my professors was very passionate and knowledgeable about their field of study, and they lended so much guidance and support throughout my studies. I thoroughly enjoyed my undergrad experience there and it is situated in such an ideal location."
Jacqueline Ramirez
  • Reviewed: 11/8/2019
  • Degree: Sociology
"My experience at Cal State Long Beach was unforgettable, the atmosphere is laid back and everyone there is friendly. The professors know their stuff and are willing to sit with you if something doesn't make sense either after class or during office hours. The school has lots of resources and campus events for the students to get involved. There's a starbucks in the library, and library staff available to help. It's a few miles from the beach, you can not go wrong. GO BEACH!!!!"
Current Masters of Criminology, Criminal Justice Student
  • Reviewed: 11/5/2019
  • Degree: Criminology
"This program is one of the hardest and most painful things I've ever done in my life. Do not expect to get sleep if you are enrolled in this program, or have a social life at all. Do expect to be stressed out and cry often. The teachers are very wonderful, but this program is a lot."
Jennifer Pastier
  • Reviewed: 6/30/2019
  • Degree: Cultural Studies
"I have long been an advocate for attending a state school to you can get a quality education at a reasonable price. I believe it was the positive experience I had at CSULB that helped me to form this opinion. As an Asian Studies major I can say that every professor I had was extremely knowledgeable and never made me think I was compromising my education by attending a state school. Additionally, as a native English speaker trying to learn Chinese I cannot say enough about the language lab resource center the school has for students learning a new language. When I graduated I was confident in my Chinese speaking abilities that I could successfully live overseas. While I am not using my degree, as my career path has taken me in a different direction, I have always been satisfied how my time was spent receiving an education at CSULB."
Sydnee Larson
  • Reviewed: 2/14/2019
  • Degree: Liberal Studies
"My college was an open and inclusive space for all students. It is a comparatively affordable college to others in California. A feature of CSULB that I thought was really important was that it was a completely smoke-free campus. There are an abundance of resources to help students. I never felt lost or unsure because the school always made sure students had access to everything at their fingertips. I had amazing professors that taught me so much, not just about my major but about life. I really learned who I was at this school through the amazing people I met. The students are very friendly and welcoming. I was welcomed with open arms as a transfer student entering the school. The school does not lack its issues, however. There were instances of small degrees of sexual harassment on campus, but campus police made students aware of the issues. We always received emails of the suspects, and campus police made sure we knew when the perpetrator was apprehended, which gave me comfort. I think the school is very open and transparent when it comes to on and off campus issues, so it made me feel safe as a student. Professors always had office hours when I needed to go to them for questions or concerns about a course. Classes can fill up fast if they are popular, so incoming students should make sure they secure a spot as soon as possible. Other than this, I fully recommend CSULB as a place to learn and develop as a student."
Nicole Cortez
  • Reviewed: 12/20/2018
  • Degree: Sociology
"I received my Bachelor's degree in Sociology from California State University - Long Beach in California. I grew up minutes away from the University and had two uncles attend the school. When it was time for me to apply to colleges, CSULB was at the top of my list. It was a school that was familiar, close to home and affordable for my family. I was able to get all the classes I needed and graduated only a semester late due to my own miscalculation of credits. Classes in my field were small and my teachers were wonderful."
SL
  • Reviewed: 7/23/2018
  • Degree: Nursing
"I felt CSULB was a great school to complete my undergraduate nursing degree. The instructors were mostly informed, educated and helpful. I had no problem finding a job directly out of school, and I felt prepared and confident when I started my first nursing job. Once I was in the nursing program, I had no problem getting my classes. I also felt that the price for classes was very affordable and reasonable, however I did attend the program many years ago. I am aware that there are still some instructors from when I attended that continue to teach in the program. Overall, I would recommend CSULB to almost anyone interested in nursing education."
Amy
  • Reviewed: 6/28/2018
  • Degree: English
"I have had a mostly-positive experience with CSULB. Even though the College of Liberal Arts has a large population of students, the orientation and upcoming first semester puts you in the same classes as many of your peers, so it's easier to meet people and make friends. The campus environment is typically welcoming, and there are plenty of organizations to participate in. Many of my professors were knowledgeable and up-to-date about teaching in classrooms and applying curriculum to what future students will be learning; there is also a highly-impacted education facet to an English degree. It puts you on the right track to go for a teaching certification program, and the counselors are helpful. You also get to (in your later years) tour classrooms and work with teachers to decide if teaching is right for you. However, the financial aid is rather poor. Tuition keeps rising every year, and there are few resources available to homeless or financially-insecure students. The faculty are not paid a fair living wage, and the administration seems to take all of the money and funnel it into their salaries or unnecessary campus beautification projects or events. Student organizations, such as Students for Quality Education and RISE California, often point out the flaws in the system CSULB runs."
English Ed. Student
  • Reviewed: 6/8/2018
  • Degree: English
"Generally speaking, CSULB offers good support especially if youre one to seek out advice and help. I went in as an English Education major, and our liberal arts advisors made sure to always keep our best interests in mind and were always encouraging when I would go see them. As for me I was a part of the EOP program which helps students who are the first generation in their family to go to college and provides scholarship opportunities. They offered us further financial and academic counseling and advice if needed. They also provide tutoring and mentorship for writing, math, and other subjects. As for academics, my classes were all pretty straightforward, and sometimes I wished it were a bit more challenging. There were a couple of classes that I enjoyed taking, but I think it was because the professors made the classroom environment dynamic, practical, multi-media, and relevant to what we would be expected to do as teachers in future schools and classrooms. There are a couple of professors from whom I really learned a great deal who I still keep in contact with. I liked that the professors always made sure they were available for us as resources if needed. As a commuter it was very hard to commit to social activities on campus, and generally CSULB is a commuter campus, so that feeling of a tight-knit community is not as present unless you join an organization and actively engage in the activities. Also, I would have to say that I appreciated the diversity of my campus. Overall, the tuition price is great, the campus is beautiful, and the people there are down-to-earth, open-minded, and really friendly."
Matthew Vazquez
  • Reviewed: 4/24/2018
  • Degree: Exercise Science
"The program at CSULB for a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science was probably one of the best experiences I ever had. At the time I was considering between 3 colleges, CSULB, CSUF, and Chapman University. After completing extensive research and speaking with my professors at Orange Coast College, it was a "no brainer" to choose CSULB. The faculty were top notch and very efficient in their knowledge and teaching styles. The campus was very welcoming and the students were nice and easy to engage with. There were a plethora of clubs and associations that students could participate in and the overall time at CSULB was a positive one."
Onaboo
  • Reviewed: 4/13/2018
  • Degree: Psychology
"California State University, Long Beach is a very diverse university with much to offer for example there are many majors offered, clubs, sports, internship opportunities and a variety of options to further your education. I loved the campus. It had every resource you could need. I also had really great professors who all cared about my success. It's also in a great area with a short drive to the beach. CSULB has many advisors on campus ready to assist you on any questions or concerns you may have, they're available and easy to contact. Due to the large amount of classes they offer, it makes it easier to schedule your classes accordingly to your personal life. Professors encourage and emphasize office hours all throughout the semester so every student could strive in class. Long Beach really made my undergrad experience a lot of fun and it helped me learn a lot about my major."
Current MBA evening senior, class of 2018
  • Reviewed: 1/30/2018
  • Degree: MBA
"I write this as a senior evening MBA student, with a cumulative GPA of 3.9 who is at the top of his class. Further, this submission is not designed to defame the college, but rather to inform perspective consumers of the return on investment they can expect to receive from the marketplace in lieu of obtaining this degree. Firstly, the curriculum is designed to be extremely Broad with very little industry relevant contemporary application. Rather than preparing you for a position and a functional role, the curriculum attempts to prepare students for roles as executive/CEO positions. This is most evident in the fact that there is no exposure to Modern practices or computer programs related to finance, accounting, Information Systems, or HR. Unfortunately, few MBA graduates will reach the point of CEO and be able to apply there Broad surface knowledge of multiple subjects. Moreover, the school lacks the Prestige to empower graduates to obtain such executive positions. This is the core deficiency of the program. There is a major disconnect in the curriculum relative to what the market demands of a graduate business student. Furthermore, having nearly graduated I have gained exposure to the job market to test the potency of my degree firsthand. Regretfully, the results have been quite lackluster. Few employers appear to be compelled by this degree, despite my additional robust and eclectic level of industry experience. Sadly, this degree has had little impact on my employability. Lastly, do not expect support from the Department for any type of Career Services. What they offer include job fairs and resume writing workshops. This is far below the level of sophistication and Industry relevance you would expect from a graduate Business program. Additionally, there are no avenues for internships, and the college appears to have no relationships with industry. All these core services are absent. It's quite similar to what is offered at the junior college level. From sraff to faculty to the dean, the department is occupied largely by careerist who treat students as though they are a commodity, and provide deplorable customer service. If I could do this again, I certainly would not have chosen this program. Ironically, the school is rated highly. Yet they are woefully detached from what is required by the contemporary job market."
J. Alfred Goodlow
  • Reviewed: 1/23/2018
  • Degree: MBA
"Please read this message carefully if you are considering the MBA program at CSULB. If you are a potential student who already has a job and just needs the "paper" to move up in your current company and live and work in the Long Beach area, then the evening MBA program is definitely a consideration for you. However; if you are a career changer and/or looking to be exposed to a progressive curriculum that will foster a skill set that you will be able to leverage in the business world, I strongly advise you look at other programs. The following reasons are provided. 1) An outdated curriculum, sure there are some good classes; however in totality, you will not learn enough, or be exposed to an application based/hands on curriculum that will take you to a higher level in the business world , instead you will be subject to classes that assess your acumen using multiple choice question type exams, the type that you typically find in an undergraduate setting. Also, a lot of work done in class is performed by hand, with so many businesses using Microsoft Excel, or other commercial application based software, there are a limited number of classes that offers this type of learning style that will prepare you for the your next potential position. If you are an expert at lets say Excel, Statistics/Forecasting based software's, HR analytic type programs, great; however if you are not, you will not learn or be exposed to them that will help you land your next job after you graduate. 2) The network is extremely limited. You will have an extremely difficult time transitioning to another career or field given the current CSULB network that is currently in place. While CSULB may have you think otherwise, you are essentially on your own, and while its not for them not trying, the network doesn't look after its fellow graduates as lets say a USC does. 3) While I don't personally hold this position, a common theme amongst my MBA peers is that there is lack of leadership at the top level in the Graduate Business program. There is a lack of communication between the teachers/professors in various departments with regards to what they are teaching and preparing students who will go up to the next core level of classes. An example of this is a Finance 600 teacher asking students why they haven't gone over or learned a particular topic in Finance 500, when the general student reply would be "isn't that something the Finance department would/should discuss". My primary purpose in providing this review is not to bash CSULB, but for prospective students to really assess what they want from a MBA program. I knew that I wanted to learn and be exposed to a curriculum that was going to prepare me for my next career phase, and based on the CSULB MBA website, I believed it; however after being in the program, I have learned the nitty gritty so to say about the program and what it has to offer. So if the potential rewards from the program outweigh the risks, great; otherwise please just consider the reasons I outlined above and make your own choice. -Current Evening MBA Student- Fall 2018 Graduation Date"
Fabio Leon
  • Reviewed: 12/27/2017
  • Degree: Social Work
"My education at CSULB has prepared me to work in the field of social work. The school and the social work program has taught me various existential and classroom settings the techniques that will be useful when beginning my career to help those without a voice. This education has definitely been a stepping stone in the right direction to be an advocate in policy change."
Anonymous
  • Reviewed: 9/1/2017
  • Degree: Social Work
"Great school, professors are great, great support and location"
Anonymous
  • Reviewed: 9/1/2017
  • Degree: Social Work
"Large school with a "small school" feel, as you take classes with the same people"
Anonymous
  • Reviewed: 9/1/2017
  • Degree: History
"I love long beach. Great programs and professors"