CMA vs. San Jose State

Comparable Facts

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

San Jose State University is larger than CMA based on total student enrollment (37,661 students vs. 837 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Maritime Academy is located in Vallejo, CA (Midsize City setting); San Jose State University is in San Jose, CA (Large City setting).
• California State University Maritime Academy is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. San Jose State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Maritime Academy 11:1; San Jose State University 25:1.

CMA vs. San Jose State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CMA or San Jose State? 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 San Jose State University than CMA ($13,892 vs. $19,040).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Maritime Academy are 30.7% lower than at San Jose State University ($14,536 vs. $20,971).
• California State University Maritime Academy is 18.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Jose State (about $1,534 more per year; $9,944.00 vs. $8,410.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.3% higher at CMA than at San Jose State University (about $1,534 more per year; $22,544.00 vs. $21,010.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at San Jose State University than at California State University Maritime Academy (63% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Jose State University students is 11.9% larger than aid received by California State University Maritime Academy students ($12,353 vs. $11,038).

CMA vs. San Jose State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CMA or San Jose State? 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 San Jose State and CMA.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSan Jose State University 1010/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSan Jose State University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CMA - Test-free; San Jose State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CMA Dec 15, 2026; San Jose State Dec 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman CMA students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.43) than students at San Jose State (3.35).
• CMA has a higher acceptance rate (95%) than San Jose State (84.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.7% at CMA vs. 14.7% at San Jose State.

CMA vs. San Jose State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CMA and San Jose State? 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 San Jose State University's (46%).
• Graduates from California State University Maritime Academy earn a median of about $30,600 more per year than San Jose State graduates about ten years after starting college ($90,500 vs. $59,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Jose State University graduates have a $10,526 lower median loan debt than CMA graduates ($15,000 vs. $25,526).
• Among borrowers, San Jose State graduates have an estimated $108 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CMA graduates ($155 vs. $263).
• More CMA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former San Jose State students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 73%)

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.