CSU Stanislaus vs. La Sierra University

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Stanislaus in Turlock, CA with La Sierra University in Riverside, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Stanislaus is larger than La Sierra University based on total student enrollment (9,724 students vs. 1,574 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Stanislaus is located in Turlock, CA (Small Suburban setting); La Sierra University is in Riverside, CA (Large City setting).
• California State University Stanislaus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. La Sierra University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Stanislaus 18:1; La Sierra University 12:1.

CSU Stanislaus vs. La Sierra University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU Stanislaus or La Sierra 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 Stanislaus than La Sierra University ($7,433 vs. $23,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Stanislaus are 2.3% lower than at La Sierra University ($13,126 vs. $13,431).
• La Sierra University is 357.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU Stanislaus (about $29,464 more per year; $37,710.00 vs. $8,246.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 80.9% higher at La Sierra University than at California State University Stanislaus (about $16,864 more per year; $37,710.00 vs. $20,846.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at La Sierra University than at California State University Stanislaus (98% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by La Sierra University students is 121.3% larger than aid received by California State University Stanislaus students ($27,646 vs. $12,492).

CSU Stanislaus vs. La Sierra University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU Stanislaus or La Sierra 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 La Sierra University and CSU Stanislaus.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsLa Sierra University 880/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsLa Sierra University 18/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU Stanislaus - Test-free; La Sierra University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Stanislaus Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman La Sierra University students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at CSU Stanislaus (3.47).
• CSU Stanislaus has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than La Sierra University (91.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.1% at CSU Stanislaus vs. 13.3% at La Sierra University.

CSU Stanislaus vs. La Sierra University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU Stanislaus and La Sierra 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 Stanislaus's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than La Sierra University's (32%).
• Graduates from La Sierra University earn a median of about $6,000 more per year than CSU Stanislaus graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,900 vs. $45,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Stanislaus graduates have a $15,000 lower median loan debt than La Sierra University graduates ($15,000 vs. $30,000).
• Among borrowers, CSU Stanislaus graduates have an estimated $155 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than La Sierra University graduates ($155 vs. $310).
• More CSU Stanislaus graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former La Sierra University students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 52%)

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.