Cal State East Bay vs. Metropolitan State University

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University East Bay in Hayward, CA with Metropolitan State University in Saint Paul, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University East Bay is larger than Metropolitan State University based on total student enrollment (12,326 students vs. 6,660 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University East Bay is located in Hayward, CA (Midsize City setting); Metropolitan State University is in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting).
• California State University East Bay is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Metropolitan State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University East Bay 22:1; Metropolitan State University 15:1.

Cal State East Bay vs. Metropolitan State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State East Bay or Metropolitan State 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 East Bay than Metropolitan State University ($9,850 vs. $16,615).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Metropolitan State University are 11% lower than at California State University East Bay ($15,864 vs. $17,831).
• Metropolitan State University is 29.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State East Bay (about $2,257 more per year; $9,840.00 vs. $7,583.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 105.1% higher at Cal State East Bay than at Metropolitan State University (about $10,343 more per year; $20,183.00 vs. $9,840.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Metropolitan State University than at California State University East Bay (82% vs. 79%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University East Bay students is 44.9% larger than aid received by Metropolitan State University students ($12,369 vs. $8,538).

Cal State East Bay vs. Metropolitan State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cal State East Bay or Metropolitan State 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 Metropolitan State University and Cal State East Bay.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State East Bay - Test-free; Metropolitan State University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State East Bay Oct 1, 2026; Metropolitan State University Aug 1, 2027.
• Metropolitan State University has a higher acceptance rate (98.7%) than Cal State East Bay (97.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 6.9% at Cal State East Bay vs. 33.8% at Metropolitan State University.

Cal State East Bay vs. Metropolitan State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal State East Bay and Metropolitan State 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 East Bay's six-year graduation rate (43%) is higher than Metropolitan State University's (29%).
• Graduates from California State University East Bay earn a median of about $6,100 more per year than Metropolitan State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $49,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University East Bay graduates have a $1,660 lower median loan debt than Metropolitan State University graduates ($16,332 vs. $17,992).
• Among borrowers, Cal State East Bay graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Metropolitan State University graduates ($168 vs. $186).
• More Cal State East Bay graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Metropolitan State University students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 57%)

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.