La Sierra University vs. CSN

Comparable Facts

Compare La Sierra University in Riverside, CA with College of Southern Nevada in Las Vegas, NV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

College of Southern Nevada is larger than La Sierra University based on total student enrollment (28,313 students vs. 1,574 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• La Sierra University is located in Riverside, CA (Large City setting); College of Southern Nevada is in Las Vegas, NV (Large City setting).
• La Sierra University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. College of Southern Nevada is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: La Sierra University 12:1; College of Southern Nevada 18:1.

La Sierra University vs. CSN Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, La Sierra University or CSN? 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 College of Southern Nevada than La Sierra University ($7,205 vs. $23,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of Southern Nevada are 1.7% lower than at La Sierra University ($13,200 vs. $13,431).
• La Sierra University is 765.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSN (about $33,352 more per year; $37,710.00 vs. $4,358.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 189.5% higher at La Sierra University than at College of Southern Nevada (about $24,686 more per year; $37,710.00 vs. $13,024.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at La Sierra University than at College of Southern Nevada (98% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by La Sierra University students is 382.1% larger than aid received by College of Southern Nevada students ($27,646 vs. $5,734).

La Sierra University vs. CSN Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, La Sierra University or CSN? 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 CSN and La Sierra University.

• College of Southern Nevada reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: La Sierra University 880/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: La Sierra University 18/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: La Sierra University - Test-free; CSN - Open admission.

La Sierra University vs. CSN Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for La Sierra University and CSN? 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).

• Graduates from La Sierra University earn a median of about $15,900 more per year than CSN graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,900 vs. $36,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of Southern Nevada graduates have a $19,500 lower median loan debt than La Sierra University graduates ($10,500 vs. $30,000).
• Among borrowers, CSN graduates have an estimated $202 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than La Sierra University graduates ($108 vs. $310).
• More La Sierra University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSN students, three years after graduation. (52% vs. 30%)

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.