CMA vs. La Sierra University

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Maritime Academy in Vallejo, CA with La Sierra University in Riverside, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

La Sierra University is larger than CMA based on total student enrollment (1,574 students vs. 837 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Maritime Academy is located in Vallejo, CA (Midsize City setting); La Sierra University is in Riverside, CA (Large City setting).
• California State University Maritime Academy is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. La Sierra University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Maritime Academy 11:1; La Sierra University 12:1.

CMA vs. La Sierra University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CMA or La Sierra University? 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 La Sierra University ($19,040 vs. $23,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at La Sierra University are 7.6% lower than at California State University Maritime Academy ($13,431 vs. $14,536).
• La Sierra University is 279.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than CMA (about $27,766 more per year; $37,710.00 vs. $9,944.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 67.3% higher at La Sierra University than at California State University Maritime Academy (about $15,166 more per year; $37,710.00 vs. $22,544.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at La Sierra University than at California State University Maritime Academy (98% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by La Sierra University students is 150.5% larger than aid received by California State University Maritime Academy students ($27,646 vs. $11,038).

CMA vs. La Sierra University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CMA or La Sierra University? 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 La Sierra University and CMA.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsLa Sierra University 880/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsLa Sierra University 18/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CMA - Test-free; La Sierra University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CMA Dec 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman La Sierra University students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at CMA (3.43).
• CMA has a higher acceptance rate (95%) than La Sierra University (91.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.7% at CMA vs. 13.3% at La Sierra University.

CMA vs. La Sierra University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CMA and La Sierra University? 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 Maritime Academy's six-year graduation rate (62%) is higher than La Sierra University's (32%).
• Graduates from California State University Maritime Academy earn a median of about $38,600 more per year than La Sierra University graduates about ten years after starting college ($90,500 vs. $51,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Maritime Academy graduates have a $4,474 lower median loan debt than La Sierra University graduates ($25,526 vs. $30,000).
• Among borrowers, CMA graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than La Sierra University graduates ($263 vs. $310).
• More CMA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former La Sierra University students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 52%)

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.