CMA vs. Life Pacific University

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Maritime Academy in Vallejo, CA with Life Pacific University in San Dimas, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

California State University Maritime Academy is larger than Life Pacific University based on total student enrollment (837 students vs. 621 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Maritime Academy is located in Vallejo, CA (Midsize City setting); Life Pacific University is in San Dimas, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• California State University Maritime Academy is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Life Pacific University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Maritime Academy 11:1; Life Pacific University 12:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Life Pacific University are 16.1% lower than at California State University Maritime Academy ($12,190 vs. $14,536).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.9% higher at CMA than at Life Pacific University (about $426 more per year; $22,544 vs. $22,118).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Life Pacific University than at California State University Maritime Academy (100% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Life Pacific University students is 24.1% larger than aid received by California State University Maritime Academy students ($13,696 vs. $11,038).

Admissions details

• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both CMA and Life Pacific University.
• Typical fall application deadline: CMA Dec 15, 2026; Life Pacific University May 1, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at CMA average a 3.43 high school GPA, 0.52 higher than at Life Pacific University (2.91).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.7% at CMA vs. 33.8% at Life Pacific University.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, Life Pacific University graduates have a $4,996 lower median loan debt than CMA graduates ($20,530 vs. $25,526).
• Among borrowers, Life Pacific University graduates have an estimated $51 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CMA graduates ($212 vs. $263).
• More CMA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Life Pacific University students, three years after graduation (79% vs. 54%).

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