Cal State East Bay vs. PSC

Comparable Facts

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

California State University East Bay is larger than PSC based on total student enrollment (12,326 students vs. 10,318 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University East Bay is located in Hayward, CA (Midsize City setting); Polk State College is in Winter Haven, FL (Small City setting).
• California State University East Bay is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Polk State College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University East Bay 22:1; Polk State College 19:1.

Cal State East Bay vs. PSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State East Bay or PSC? 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 PSC ($9,850 vs. $10,011).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Polk State College are 31.7% lower than at California State University East Bay ($12,186 vs. $17,831).
• California State University East Bay is 181.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than PSC (about $4,889 more per year; $7,583.00 vs. $2,694.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 105.6% higher at Cal State East Bay than at Polk State College (about $10,366 more per year; $20,183.00 vs. $9,817.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University East Bay than at Polk State College (79% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University East Bay students is 274.3% larger than aid received by Polk State College students ($12,369 vs. $3,305).

Cal State East Bay vs. PSC Admissions comparison

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

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

Cal State East Bay vs. PSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal State East Bay and PSC? 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 $21,300 more per year than PSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $34,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Polk State College graduates have a $6,832 lower median loan debt than Cal State East Bay graduates ($9,500 vs. $16,332).
• Among borrowers, PSC graduates have an estimated $70 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cal State East Bay graduates ($98 vs. $168).
• More Cal State East Bay graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PSC students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 40%)

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.