Cal State East Bay vs. ISU

Comparable Facts

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

Idaho State University is larger than Cal State East Bay based on total student enrollment (13,061 students vs. 12,326 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University East Bay is located in Hayward, CA (Midsize City setting); Idaho State University is in Pocatello, ID (Small City setting).
• California State University East Bay is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Idaho State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University East Bay 22:1; Idaho State University 14:1.

Cal State East Bay vs. ISU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State East Bay or ISU? 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 ISU ($9,850 vs. $12,174).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Idaho State University are 55.8% lower than at California State University East Bay ($7,882 vs. $17,831).
• Idaho State University is 13.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State East Bay (about $1,027 more per year; $8,610.00 vs. $7,583.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 37.3% higher at ISU than at California State University East Bay (about $7,537 more per year; $27,720.00 vs. $20,183.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Idaho State University than at California State University East Bay (91% vs. 79%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University East Bay students is 34.2% larger than aid received by Idaho State University students ($12,369 vs. $9,217).

Cal State East Bay vs. ISU Admissions comparison

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

• Idaho State University reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State East Bay - Test-free; ISU - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State East Bay Oct 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman ISU students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Cal State East Bay (3.2).

Cal State East Bay vs. ISU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal State East Bay and ISU? 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 East Bay's six-year graduation rate (43%) is higher than Idaho State University's (26%).
• Graduates from California State University East Bay earn a median of about $13,000 more per year than ISU graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $42,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University East Bay graduates have a $6,618 lower median loan debt than ISU graduates ($16,332 vs. $22,950).
• Among borrowers, Cal State East Bay graduates have an estimated $69 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ISU graduates ($168 vs. $237).
• More Cal State East Bay graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ISU students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 47%)

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.