Cal State East Bay vs. Tennessee State University

Comparable Facts

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

California State University East Bay is larger than Tennessee State University based on total student enrollment (12,326 students vs. 6,310 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University East Bay is located in Hayward, CA (Midsize City setting); Tennessee State University is in Nashville, TN (Large City setting).
• California State University East Bay is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Tennessee State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University East Bay 22:1; Tennessee State University 13:1.

Cal State East Bay vs. Tennessee State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State East Bay or Tennessee 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 Tennessee State University ($9,850 vs. $14,586).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tennessee State University are 37.5% lower than at California State University East Bay ($11,150 vs. $17,831).
• Tennessee State University is 13.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State East Bay (about $1,033 more per year; $8,616.00 vs. $7,583.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.1% higher at Tennessee State University than at California State University East Bay (about $2,233 more per year; $22,416.00 vs. $20,183.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University East Bay than at Tennessee State University (79% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University East Bay students is 28% larger than aid received by Tennessee State University students ($12,369 vs. $9,661).

Cal State East Bay vs. Tennessee State University Admissions comparison

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

• Tennessee State University reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsTennessee State University 880/1050.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsTennessee State University 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State East Bay - Test-free; Tennessee State University - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State East Bay Oct 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Tennessee State University students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.22) than students at Cal State East Bay (3.2).
• Cal State East Bay has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than Tennessee State University (70.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 6.9% at Cal State East Bay vs. 13% at Tennessee State University.

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

How do outcomes compare for Cal State East Bay and Tennessee 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 Tennessee State University's (36%).
• Graduates from California State University East Bay earn a median of about $16,900 more per year than Tennessee State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $38,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University East Bay graduates have a $11,668 lower median loan debt than Tennessee State University graduates ($16,332 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, Cal State East Bay graduates have an estimated $121 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tennessee State University graduates ($168 vs. $289).
• More Cal State East Bay graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tennessee State University students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 29%)

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.