CMA vs. Simpson University

Comparable Facts

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

Simpson University is larger than CMA based on total student enrollment (992 students vs. 837 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Maritime Academy is located in Vallejo, CA (Midsize City setting); Simpson University is in Redding, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• California State University Maritime Academy is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Simpson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Maritime Academy 11:1; Simpson University 17:1.

CMA vs. Simpson University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CMA or Simpson 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 Simpson University ($19,040 vs. $28,653).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Simpson University are 18.1% lower than at California State University Maritime Academy ($11,900 vs. $14,536).
• Simpson University is 299.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than CMA (about $29,764 more per year; $39,708.00 vs. $9,944.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 76.1% higher at Simpson University than at California State University Maritime Academy (about $17,164 more per year; $39,708.00 vs. $22,544.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Simpson University than at California State University Maritime Academy (100% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Simpson University students is 135% larger than aid received by California State University Maritime Academy students ($25,937 vs. $11,038).

CMA vs. Simpson University Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSimpson University 960/1185.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSimpson University 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CMA - Test-free; Simpson University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CMA Dec 15, 2026; Simpson University Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CMA students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.43) than students at Simpson University (3.4).
• CMA has a higher acceptance rate (95%) than Simpson University (86%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.7% at CMA vs. 24.2% at Simpson University.

CMA vs. Simpson University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CMA and Simpson 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 Simpson University's (43%).
• Graduates from California State University Maritime Academy earn a median of about $52,300 more per year than Simpson University graduates about ten years after starting college ($90,500 vs. $38,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Simpson University graduates have a $8,858 lower median loan debt than CMA graduates ($16,668 vs. $25,526).
• Among borrowers, Simpson University graduates have an estimated $91 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CMA graduates ($172 vs. $263).
• More CMA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Simpson University students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 67%)

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.