Cal State East Bay vs. BSC

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University East Bay in Hayward, CA with Bismarck State College in Bismarck, ND on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University East Bay is larger than BSC based on total student enrollment (12,326 students vs. 4,206 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University East Bay is located in Hayward, CA (Midsize City setting); Bismarck State College is in Bismarck, ND (Small City setting).
• California State University East Bay is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Bismarck State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University East Bay 22:1; Bismarck State College 13:1.

Cal State East Bay vs. BSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State East Bay or BSC? 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 East Bay than BSC ($9,850 vs. $10,462).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Bismarck State College are 53.6% lower than at California State University East Bay ($8,273 vs. $17,831).
• California State University East Bay is 44.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than BSC (about $2,336 more per year; $7,583.00 vs. $5,247.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 175.3% higher at Cal State East Bay than at Bismarck State College (about $12,852 more per year; $20,183.00 vs. $7,331.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University East Bay than at Bismarck State College (79% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University East Bay students is 145% larger than aid received by Bismarck State College students ($12,369 vs. $5,049).

Cal State East Bay vs. BSC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cal State East Bay or BSC? 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 BSC and Cal State East Bay.

• Bismarck State College reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State East Bay - Test-free; BSC - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State East Bay Oct 1, 2026.

Cal State East Bay vs. BSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal State East Bay and BSC? 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 East Bay earn a median of about $6,100 more per year than BSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $49,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Bismarck State College graduates have a $5,291 lower median loan debt than Cal State East Bay graduates ($11,041 vs. $16,332).
• Among borrowers, BSC graduates have an estimated $54 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cal State East Bay graduates ($114 vs. $168).
• More BSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cal State East Bay students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 61%)

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.