Cal State East Bay vs. University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

Comparable Facts

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

California State University East Bay is larger than University of Wisconsin-Whitewater based on total student enrollment (12,326 students vs. 11,746 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University East Bay is located in Hayward, CA (Midsize City setting); University of Wisconsin Whitewater is in Whitewater, WI (Distant Town setting).
• California State University East Bay is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Whitewater is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University East Bay 22:1; University of Wisconsin Whitewater 21:1.

Cal State East Bay vs. University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State East Bay or University of Wisconsin-Whitewater? 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 University of Wisconsin-Whitewater ($9,850 vs. $12,709).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Whitewater are 54.6% lower than at California State University East Bay ($8,090 vs. $17,831).
• University of Wisconsin Whitewater 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 7.8% higher at Cal State East Bay than at University of Wisconsin Whitewater (about $1,467 more per year; $20,183.00 vs. $18,716.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University East Bay than at University of Wisconsin Whitewater (79% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University East Bay students is 117.6% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Whitewater students ($12,369 vs. $5,685).

Cal State East Bay vs. University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cal State East Bay or University of Wisconsin-Whitewater? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and Cal State East Bay.

• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresUniversity of Wisconsin Whitewater 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State East Bay - Test-free; University of Wisconsin-Whitewater - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State East Bay Oct 1, 2026.
• Enrolled freshman University of Wisconsin-Whitewater students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at Cal State East Bay (3.2).
• Cal State East Bay has a higher acceptance rate (97.4%) than University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (85.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 6.9% at Cal State East Bay vs. 24.7% at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

Cal State East Bay vs. University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal State East Bay and University of Wisconsin-Whitewater? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• University of Wisconsin Whitewater's six-year graduation rate (54%) is higher than California State University East Bay's (43%).
• Graduates from California State University East Bay earn a median of about $10,700 more per year than University of Wisconsin-Whitewater graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $44,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University East Bay graduates have a $8,639 lower median loan debt than University of Wisconsin-Whitewater graduates ($16,332 vs. $24,971).
• Among borrowers, Cal State East Bay graduates have an estimated $90 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Wisconsin-Whitewater graduates ($168 vs. $258).
• More University of Wisconsin-Whitewater graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cal State East Bay students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 61%)

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.