CSU Stanislaus vs. ISU

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Stanislaus in Turlock, CA with Idaho State University in Pocatello, ID on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Idaho State University is larger than CSU Stanislaus based on total student enrollment (13,061 students vs. 9,724 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Stanislaus is located in Turlock, CA (Small Suburban setting); Idaho State University is in Pocatello, ID (Small City setting).
• California State University Stanislaus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Idaho State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Stanislaus 18:1; Idaho State University 14:1.

CSU Stanislaus vs. ISU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU Stanislaus or ISU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at California State University Stanislaus than ISU ($7,433 vs. $12,174).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Idaho State University are 40% lower than at California State University Stanislaus ($7,882 vs. $13,126).
• Idaho State University is 4.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU Stanislaus (about $364 more per year; $8,610.00 vs. $8,246.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 33% higher at ISU than at California State University Stanislaus (about $6,874 more per year; $27,720.00 vs. $20,846.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Idaho State University than at California State University Stanislaus (91% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Stanislaus students is 35.5% larger than aid received by Idaho State University students ($12,492 vs. $9,217).

CSU Stanislaus vs. ISU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU Stanislaus or ISU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between ISU and CSU Stanislaus.

• Idaho State University reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU Stanislaus - Test-free; ISU - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Stanislaus Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman CSU Stanislaus students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.47) than students at ISU (3.41).

CSU Stanislaus vs. ISU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU Stanislaus and ISU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• California State University Stanislaus's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than Idaho State University's (26%).
• Graduates from California State University Stanislaus earn a median of about $3,600 more per year than ISU graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,900 vs. $42,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Stanislaus graduates have a $7,950 lower median loan debt than ISU graduates ($15,000 vs. $22,950).
• Among borrowers, CSU Stanislaus graduates have an estimated $82 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ISU graduates ($155 vs. $237).
• More CSU Stanislaus graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ISU students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 47%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.