Cal State East Bay vs. WNC

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University East Bay in Hayward, CA with Western Nevada College in Carson City, NV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University East Bay is larger than WNC based on total student enrollment (12,326 students vs. 4,284 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University East Bay is located in Hayward, CA (Midsize City setting); Western Nevada College is in Carson City, NV (Rural Fringe setting).
• California State University East Bay is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Nevada College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University East Bay 22:1; Western Nevada College 15:1.

Cal State East Bay vs. WNC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State East Bay or WNC? 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 WNC ($9,850 vs. $14,929).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Nevada College are 0.2% lower than at California State University East Bay ($17,788 vs. $17,831).
• California State University East Bay is 81.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than WNC (about $3,415 more per year; $7,583.00 vs. $4,168.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 57.3% higher at Cal State East Bay than at Western Nevada College (about $7,349 more per year; $20,183.00 vs. $12,834.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Nevada College than at California State University East Bay (88% vs. 79%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University East Bay students is 110.6% larger than aid received by Western Nevada College students ($12,369 vs. $5,874).

Cal State East Bay vs. WNC Admissions comparison

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

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

Cal State East Bay vs. WNC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal State East Bay and WNC? 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 $21,600 more per year than WNC graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $33,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Nevada College graduates have a $5,016 lower median loan debt than Cal State East Bay graduates ($11,316 vs. $16,332).
• Among borrowers, WNC graduates have an estimated $51 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cal State East Bay graduates ($117 vs. $168).
• More Cal State East Bay graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WNC students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 30%)

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.