CMA vs. Life Pacific University

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Maritime Academy in Vallejo, CA with Life Pacific University in San Dimas, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Maritime Academy is larger than Life Pacific University based on total student enrollment (837 students vs. 621 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

CMA vs. Life Pacific University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CMA or Life Pacific 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 Life Pacific University ($19,040 vs. $21,602).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Life Pacific University are 16.1% lower than at California State University Maritime Academy ($12,190 vs. $14,536).
• Life Pacific University is 122.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than CMA (about $12,174 more per year; $22,118.00 vs. $9,944.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.9% higher at CMA than at Life Pacific University (about $426 more per year; $22,544.00 vs. $22,118.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Life Pacific University than at California State University Maritime Academy (100% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Life Pacific University students is 24.1% larger than aid received by California State University Maritime Academy students ($13,696 vs. $11,038).

CMA vs. Life Pacific University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CMA or Life Pacific 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 Life Pacific University and CMA.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsLife Pacific University 930/1085.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsLife Pacific University 16/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CMA - Test-free; Life Pacific University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CMA Dec 15, 2026; Life Pacific University May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CMA students have a 0.52 point higher average high school GPA (3.43) than students at Life Pacific University (2.91).
• Life Pacific University has a higher acceptance rate (95.8%) than CMA (95%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.7% at CMA vs. 33.8% at Life Pacific University.

CMA vs. Life Pacific University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CMA and Life Pacific 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 Life Pacific University's (33%).
• Graduates from California State University Maritime Academy earn a median of about $58,500 more per year than Life Pacific University graduates about ten years after starting college ($90,500 vs. $32,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Life Pacific University graduates have a $4,996 lower median loan debt than CMA graduates ($20,530 vs. $25,526).
• Among borrowers, Life Pacific University graduates have an estimated $51 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CMA graduates ($212 vs. $263).
• More CMA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Life Pacific University students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 54%)

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.