San Jose State vs. CSU Channel Islands

Comparable Facts

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

San Jose State University is larger than CSU Channel Islands based on total student enrollment (37,661 students vs. 5,592 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• San Jose State University is located in San Jose, CA (Large City setting); California State University Channel Islands is in Camarillo, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• San Jose 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: San Jose State University 25:1; California State University Channel Islands 16:1.

San Jose State vs. CSU Channel Islands Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, San Jose State 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 California State University Channel Islands than San Jose State ($10,632 vs. $13,892).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Channel Islands are 26.1% lower than at San Jose State University ($15,490 vs. $20,971).
• San Jose State University is 17.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU Channel Islands (about $1,251 more per year; $8,410.00 vs. $7,159.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.3% higher at San Jose State than at California State University Channel Islands (about $1,251 more per year; $21,010.00 vs. $19,759.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Channel Islands than at San Jose State University (79% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Channel Islands students is 1.4% larger than aid received by San Jose State University students ($12,528 vs. $12,353).

San Jose State vs. CSU Channel Islands Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, San Jose State 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 San Jose State.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Jose State University 1010/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Jose State University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: San Jose State - Test-free; CSU Channel Islands - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: San Jose State Dec 15, 2026; CSU Channel Islands Jul 30, 2027.
• Accepted freshman San Jose State students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.35) than students at CSU Channel Islands (3.22).
• CSU Channel Islands has a higher acceptance rate (94.8%) than San Jose State (84.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.7% at San Jose State vs. 6.2% at CSU Channel Islands.

San Jose State vs. CSU Channel Islands Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for San Jose State 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 San Jose State University's (46%).
• Graduates from San Jose State University earn a median of about $13,800 more per year than CSU Channel Islands graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,900 vs. $46,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Jose State University graduates have a $183 lower median loan debt than CSU Channel Islands graduates ($15,000 vs. $15,183).
• Among borrowers, San Jose State graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU Channel Islands graduates ($155 vs. $156).
• More San Jose State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU Channel Islands students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 66%)

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.