CMA vs. CSU Channel Islands

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Maritime Academy in Vallejo, CA with California State University Channel Islands in Camarillo, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

California State University Channel Islands is larger than CMA based on total student enrollment (5,592 students vs. 837 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Maritime Academy is located in Vallejo, CA (Midsize City setting); California State University Channel Islands is in Camarillo, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• California State University Maritime Academy is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. California State University Channel Islands is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Maritime Academy 11:1; California State University Channel Islands 16:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Maritime Academy are 6.2% lower than at California State University Channel Islands ($14,536 vs. $15,490).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.1% higher at CMA than at California State University Channel Islands (about $2,785 more per year; $22,544 vs. $19,759).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Channel Islands than at California State University Maritime Academy (79% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Channel Islands students is 13.5% larger than aid received by California State University Maritime Academy students ($12,528 vs. $11,038).

Admissions details

• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both CMA and CSU Channel Islands.
• Typical fall application deadline: CMA Dec 15, 2026; CSU Channel Islands Jul 30, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at CMA average a 3.43 high school GPA, 0.21 higher than at CSU Channel Islands (3.22).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.7% at CMA vs. 6.2% at CSU Channel Islands.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Channel Islands graduates have a $10,343 lower median loan debt than CMA graduates ($15,183 vs. $25,526).
• Among borrowers, CSU Channel Islands graduates have an estimated $107 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CMA graduates ($156 vs. $263).
• More CMA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU Channel Islands students, three years after graduation (79% vs. 66%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.