Re: #26
CSULB is not the best example, due to the strong local area preference it uses (as the article describes and links to), and the existence of two other less selective CSUs nearby. I.e. B/B+ students in the area are still likely to be able to commute to CSULB. It is getting much more selective for non local students, though. CPSLO is probably a better example, as is SDSU.
But some majors, like nursing everywhere, and CS at SJSU, may be difficult to get into, local or non local.
In terms of other areas that are far from any public universities, Fairfield (noted previously) and Visalia would be other examples.