Cal State East Bay vs. NSU

Comparable Facts

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

California State University East Bay is larger than NSU based on total student enrollment (12,326 students vs. 6,053 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cal State East Bay vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State East Bay or NSU? 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 Norfolk State University than Cal State East Bay ($9,124 vs. $9,850).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Norfolk State University are 35% lower than at California State University East Bay ($11,591 vs. $17,831).
• Norfolk State University is 34.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State East Bay (about $2,597 more per year; $10,180.00 vs. $7,583.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.4% higher at NSU than at California State University East Bay (about $1,499 more per year; $21,682.00 vs. $20,183.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University East Bay than at Norfolk State University (79% vs. 75%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Norfolk State University students is 21.7% larger than aid received by California State University East Bay students ($15,056 vs. $12,369).

Cal State East Bay vs. NSU Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsNorfolk State University 823/1030.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsNorfolk State University 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State East Bay - Test-free; NSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State East Bay Oct 1, 2026; NSU May 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cal State East Bay students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.2) than students at NSU (2.9).
• Cal State East Bay has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than NSU (87.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 6.9% at Cal State East Bay vs. 13.2% at NSU.

Cal State East Bay vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal State East Bay and NSU? 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 Norfolk State University's (33%).
• Graduates from California State University East Bay earn a median of about $18,600 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $36,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University East Bay graduates have a $14,668 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($16,332 vs. $31,000).
• Among borrowers, Cal State East Bay graduates have an estimated $152 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NSU graduates ($168 vs. $320).
• More Cal State East Bay graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 27%)

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.