CMA vs. SCI-Arc

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Maritime Academy in Vallejo, CA with Southern California Institute of Architecture in Los Angeles, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Maritime Academy is larger than SCI-Arc based on total student enrollment (837 students vs. 418 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Maritime Academy is located in Vallejo, CA (Midsize City setting); Southern California Institute of Architecture is in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting).
• California State University Maritime Academy is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern California Institute of Architecture is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Maritime Academy 11:1; Southern California Institute of Architecture 9:1.

CMA vs. SCI-Arc Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CMA or SCI-Arc? 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 SCI-Arc ($19,040 vs. $28,985).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern California Institute of Architecture are 6.4% lower than at California State University Maritime Academy ($13,600 vs. $14,536).
• Southern California Institute of Architecture is 464.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than CMA (about $46,218 more per year; $56,162.00 vs. $9,944.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 149.1% higher at SCI-Arc than at California State University Maritime Academy (about $33,618 more per year; $56,162.00 vs. $22,544.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Maritime Academy than at Southern California Institute of Architecture (51% vs. 26%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern California Institute of Architecture students is 286.2% larger than aid received by California State University Maritime Academy students ($42,627 vs. $11,038).

CMA vs. SCI-Arc Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CMA or SCI-Arc? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between SCI-Arc and CMA.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresSouthern California Institute of Architecture 1020/1230.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CMA - Test-free; SCI-Arc - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CMA Dec 15, 2026; SCI-Arc Jan 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman SCI-Arc students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at CMA (3.43).
• CMA has a higher acceptance rate (95%) than SCI-Arc (76.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.7% at CMA vs. 7% at SCI-Arc.

CMA vs. SCI-Arc Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CMA and SCI-Arc? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• California State University Maritime Academy's six-year graduation rate (62%) is higher than Southern California Institute of Architecture's (58%).
• Graduates from California State University Maritime Academy earn a median of about $44,100 more per year than SCI-Arc graduates about ten years after starting college ($90,500 vs. $46,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Maritime Academy graduates have a $17,224 lower median loan debt than SCI-Arc graduates ($25,526 vs. $42,750).
• Among borrowers, CMA graduates have an estimated $179 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SCI-Arc graduates ($263 vs. $442).
• More CMA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SCI-Arc students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 62%)

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.