TSU vs. CSU Channel Islands

Comparable Facts

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

Texas Southern University is larger than CSU Channel Islands based on total student enrollment (8,704 students vs. 5,592 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Texas Southern University is located in Houston, TX (Large City setting); California State University Channel Islands is in Camarillo, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Texas Southern 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: Texas Southern University 19:1; California State University Channel Islands 16:1.

TSU vs. CSU Channel Islands Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, TSU 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 TSU ($10,632 vs. $13,584).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Texas Southern University are 17.4% lower than at California State University Channel Islands ($12,800 vs. $15,490).
• Texas Southern University is 28.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU Channel Islands (about $2,014 more per year; $9,173.00 vs. $7,159.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.7% higher at TSU than at California State University Channel Islands (about $1,714 more per year; $21,473.00 vs. $19,759.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Texas Southern University than at California State University Channel Islands (95% vs. 79%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Channel Islands students is 27.5% larger than aid received by Texas Southern University students ($12,528 vs. $9,823).

TSU vs. CSU Channel Islands Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, TSU 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 TSU.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Texas Southern University 800/1000.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Texas Southern University 15/19.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: TSU - Test optional; CSU Channel Islands - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: TSU Jul 15, 2027; CSU Channel Islands Jul 30, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CSU Channel Islands students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.22) than students at TSU (3.0).
• TSU has a higher acceptance rate (96.9%) than CSU Channel Islands (94.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.9% at TSU vs. 6.2% at CSU Channel Islands.

TSU vs. CSU Channel Islands Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for TSU 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 Texas Southern University's (12%).
• Graduates from California State University Channel Islands earn a median of about $9,900 more per year than TSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,100 vs. $36,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Channel Islands graduates have a $14,175 lower median loan debt than TSU graduates ($15,183 vs. $29,358).
• Among borrowers, CSU Channel Islands graduates have an estimated $147 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than TSU graduates ($156 vs. $303).
• More CSU Channel Islands graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former TSU students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 22%)

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.