California State University – Long Beach

25800 Carlos Bee Blvd, Hayward, CA

Starting with less than 200 students in 1949 under the name Los Angeles-Orange County State College, CSU Long Beach now sprawls over 300 acres with more than 80 buildings throughout its entire campus. It is officially the second largest among all CSU campuses, offering courses under the colleges of Arts, Liberal Arts, Education, Natural Sciences & Mathematics, Health & Human Services, Continuing & Professional Education, Business Administration, and Engineering. Since gaining university status in 1972, Long Beach State has continually ranked among the top universities in the country for various undergraduate and graduate programs.

High school students in California who are either graduating as valedictorians or have achieved national scholar status have a chance to qualify for scholarship grants under the President's Scholars Program which guarantees full coverage of tuition and student fees for any four-year degree, paid campus residency, book allowances, among others. A Young Scholars Program is also available for high school juniors and seniors who wish to take up CSULB courses and possibly accumulate college credits in advance. Admissions for pursuits in overseas research and studies are handled by the Center for International Education, enabling students to explore various opportunities to study, intern or volunteer in other universities abroad.

The Walter Pyramid on campus is a vast sports complex and training ground for the Long Beach State 49ers. Provisions for the Bickerstaff Academic Center were put in place to ensure that all student-athletes are able to keep both their athletic (NCAA) and academic eligibilities in check. Other notable landmarks include the University Art Museum, Carpenter Performing Arts Center, and the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music.