Cal State East Bay vs. Northern Virginia Community College

Comparable Facts

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

Northern Virginia Community College is larger than Cal State East Bay based on total student enrollment (56,457 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); Northern Virginia Community College is in Annandale, VA (Large Suburban setting).
• California State University East Bay is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northern Virginia Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University East Bay 22:1; Northern Virginia Community College 31:1.

Cal State East Bay vs. Northern Virginia Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State East Bay or Northern Virginia Community College? 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 Northern Virginia Community College than Cal State East Bay ($9,627 vs. $9,850).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Virginia Community College are 28.9% lower than at California State University East Bay ($12,684 vs. $17,831).
• California State University East Bay is 28.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northern Virginia Community College (about $1,692 more per year; $7,583.00 vs. $5,891.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 62.6% higher at Cal State East Bay than at Northern Virginia Community College (about $7,774 more per year; $20,183.00 vs. $12,409.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University East Bay than at Northern Virginia Community College (79% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University East Bay students is 64.5% larger than aid received by Northern Virginia Community College students ($12,369 vs. $7,519).

Cal State East Bay vs. Northern Virginia Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cal State East Bay or Northern Virginia Community College? 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 Northern Virginia Community College and Cal State East Bay.

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

Cal State East Bay vs. Northern Virginia Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal State East Bay and Northern Virginia Community College? 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 $9,200 more per year than Northern Virginia Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $46,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Virginia Community College graduates have a $5,332 lower median loan debt than Cal State East Bay graduates ($11,000 vs. $16,332).
• Among borrowers, Northern Virginia Community College graduates have an estimated $55 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cal State East Bay graduates ($113 vs. $168).
• More Cal State East Bay graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northern Virginia Community College students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 45%)

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.