CMA vs. WNC

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Maritime Academy in Vallejo, CA with Western Nevada College in Carson City, NV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Nevada College is larger than CMA based on total student enrollment (4,284 students vs. 837 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Maritime Academy is located in Vallejo, CA (Midsize City setting); Western Nevada College is in Carson City, NV (Rural Fringe setting).
• California State University Maritime Academy is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Nevada College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Maritime Academy 11:1; Western Nevada College 15:1.

CMA vs. WNC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CMA or WNC? 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 Western Nevada College than CMA ($14,929 vs. $19,040).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Maritime Academy are 18.3% lower than at Western Nevada College ($14,536 vs. $17,788).
• California State University Maritime Academy is 138.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than WNC (about $5,776 more per year; $9,944.00 vs. $4,168.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 75.7% higher at CMA than at Western Nevada College (about $9,710 more per year; $22,544.00 vs. $12,834.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Nevada College than at California State University Maritime Academy (88% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Maritime Academy students is 87.9% larger than aid received by Western Nevada College students ($11,038 vs. $5,874).

CMA vs. WNC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CMA or WNC? 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 WNC and CMA.

• Western Nevada College reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CMA - Test-free; WNC - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: CMA Dec 15, 2026.

CMA vs. WNC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CMA and WNC? 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).

• Graduates from California State University Maritime Academy earn a median of about $56,800 more per year than WNC graduates about ten years after starting college ($90,500 vs. $33,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Nevada College graduates have a $14,210 lower median loan debt than CMA graduates ($11,316 vs. $25,526).
• Among borrowers, WNC graduates have an estimated $146 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CMA graduates ($117 vs. $263).
• More CMA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WNC students, three years after graduation. (79% vs. 30%)

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.