CMA vs. CDU

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Maritime Academy in Vallejo, CA with Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science in Los Angeles, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science is larger than CMA based on total student enrollment (852 students vs. 837 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Maritime Academy is located in Vallejo, CA (Midsize City setting); Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science is in Los Angeles, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• California State University Maritime Academy is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Maritime Academy 11:1; Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science 4:1.

CMA vs. CDU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CMA or CDU? 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 Maritime Academy than CDU ($19,040 vs. $35,558).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Maritime Academy are 56.1% lower than at Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science ($14,536 vs. $33,090).
• Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science is 131.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than CMA (about $13,056 more per year; $23,000.00 vs. $9,944.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2% higher at CDU than at California State University Maritime Academy (about $456 more per year; $23,000.00 vs. $22,544.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science than at California State University Maritime Academy (100% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Maritime Academy students is 158.1% larger than aid received by Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science students ($11,038 vs. $4,276).

CMA vs. CDU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CMA or CDU? 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 CDU and CMA.

• Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CMA - Test-free; CDU - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: CMA Dec 15, 2026; CDU Jul 30, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CMA students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.43) than students at CDU (3.26).
• CMA has a higher acceptance rate (95%) than CDU (38.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.7% at CMA vs. 3.5% at CDU.

CMA vs. CDU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CMA and CDU? 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 California State University Maritime Academy earn a median of about $19,600 more per year than CDU graduates about ten years after starting college ($90,500 vs. $70,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science graduates have a $4,207 lower median loan debt than CMA graduates ($21,319 vs. $25,526).
• Among borrowers, CDU graduates have an estimated $43 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CMA graduates ($220 vs. $263).
• More CMA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CDU students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 56%)

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.