California Baptist University vs. CSU

Comparable Facts

Compare California Baptist University in Riverside, CA with Charleston Southern University in Charleston, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California Baptist University is larger than CSU based on total student enrollment (11,902 students vs. 3,832 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Baptist University is located in Riverside, CA (Large City setting); Charleston Southern University is in Charleston, SC (Small City setting).
• California Baptist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Charleston Southern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Baptist University 21:1; Charleston Southern University 12:1.

California Baptist University vs. CSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California Baptist University or CSU? 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 Charleston Southern University than California Baptist University ($21,080 vs. $27,862).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California Baptist University are 0.5% lower than at Charleston Southern University ($12,140 vs. $12,200).
• California Baptist University is 26.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU (about $8,708 more per year; $41,228.00 vs. $32,520.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.8% higher at California Baptist University than at Charleston Southern University (about $8,708 more per year; $41,228.00 vs. $32,520.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California Baptist University than at Charleston Southern University (99% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Baptist University students is 15.1% larger than aid received by Charleston Southern University students ($26,743 vs. $23,240).

California Baptist University vs. CSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, California Baptist University or CSU? 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 and California Baptist University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California Baptist University (1060) is 10 points higher than at CSU (1050).
• Incoming California Baptist University students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at CSU (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Baptist University 960/1150; Charleston Southern University 930/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Baptist University 18/25; Charleston Southern University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California Baptist University - Test-free; CSU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman California Baptist University students have a 0.34 point higher average high school GPA (3.58) than students at CSU (3.24).
• CSU has a higher acceptance rate (96.5%) than California Baptist University (84.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.8% at California Baptist University vs. 17.7% at CSU.

California Baptist University vs. CSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California Baptist University and CSU? 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 Baptist University's six-year graduation rate (55%) is higher than Charleston Southern University's (38%).
• Graduates from California Baptist University earn a median of about $5,300 more per year than CSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($45,100 vs. $39,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Charleston Southern University and California Baptist University graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Charleston Southern University and California Baptist University graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More California Baptist University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 50%)

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.