NSU vs. CSU Channel Islands

Comparable Facts

Compare Norfolk State University in Norfolk, VA with California State University Channel Islands in Camarillo, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Norfolk State University is larger than CSU Channel Islands based on total student enrollment (6,053 students vs. 5,592 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Norfolk State University is located in Norfolk, VA (Midsize City setting); California State University Channel Islands is in Camarillo, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Norfolk State University 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: Norfolk State University 15:1; California State University Channel Islands 16:1.

NSU vs. CSU Channel Islands Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NSU or CSU Channel Islands? 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 Norfolk State University than CSU Channel Islands ($9,124 vs. $10,632).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Norfolk State University are 25.2% lower than at California State University Channel Islands ($11,591 vs. $15,490).
• Norfolk State University is 42.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU Channel Islands (about $3,021 more per year; $10,180.00 vs. $7,159.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.7% higher at NSU than at California State University Channel Islands (about $1,923 more per year; $21,682.00 vs. $19,759.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Channel Islands than at Norfolk State University (79% vs. 75%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Norfolk State University students is 20.2% larger than aid received by California State University Channel Islands students ($15,056 vs. $12,528).

NSU vs. CSU Channel Islands Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NSU or CSU Channel Islands? 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 CSU Channel Islands and NSU.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Norfolk State University 823/1030.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Norfolk State University 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NSU - Test optional; CSU Channel Islands - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: NSU May 31, 2027; CSU Channel Islands Jul 30, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CSU Channel Islands students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.22) than students at NSU (2.9).
• CSU Channel Islands has a higher acceptance rate (94.8%) than NSU (87.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.2% at NSU vs. 6.2% at CSU Channel Islands.

NSU vs. CSU Channel Islands Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NSU and CSU Channel Islands? 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 Channel Islands's six-year graduation rate (54%) is higher than Norfolk State University's (33%).
• Graduates from California State University Channel Islands earn a median of about $9,400 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,100 vs. $36,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Channel Islands graduates have a $15,817 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($15,183 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, CSU Channel Islands graduates have an estimated $164 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NSU graduates ($156 vs. $320).
• More CSU Channel Islands graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 27%)

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.