CSU Stanislaus vs. Metropolitan State University

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Stanislaus in Turlock, CA with Metropolitan State University in Saint Paul, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Stanislaus is larger than Metropolitan State University based on total student enrollment (9,724 students vs. 6,660 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Stanislaus is located in Turlock, CA (Small Suburban setting); Metropolitan State University is in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting).
• California State University Stanislaus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Metropolitan State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Stanislaus 18:1; Metropolitan State University 15:1.

CSU Stanislaus vs. Metropolitan State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU Stanislaus or Metropolitan 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 Stanislaus than Metropolitan State University ($7,433 vs. $16,615).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Stanislaus are 17.3% lower than at Metropolitan State University ($13,126 vs. $15,864).
• Metropolitan State University is 19.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU Stanislaus (about $1,594 more per year; $9,840.00 vs. $8,246.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 111.8% higher at CSU Stanislaus than at Metropolitan State University (about $11,006 more per year; $20,846.00 vs. $9,840.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Stanislaus than at Metropolitan State University (86% vs. 82%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Stanislaus students is 46.3% larger than aid received by Metropolitan State University students ($12,492 vs. $8,538).

CSU Stanislaus vs. Metropolitan State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU Stanislaus or Metropolitan 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 Metropolitan State University and CSU Stanislaus.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU Stanislaus - Test-free; Metropolitan State University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Stanislaus Nov 30, 2026; Metropolitan State University Aug 1, 2027.
• Metropolitan State University has a higher acceptance rate (98.7%) than CSU Stanislaus (98.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.1% at CSU Stanislaus vs. 33.8% at Metropolitan State University.

CSU Stanislaus vs. Metropolitan State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU Stanislaus and Metropolitan 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 Stanislaus's six-year graduation rate (49%) is higher than Metropolitan State University's (29%).
• Graduates from Metropolitan State University earn a median of about $3,300 more per year than CSU Stanislaus graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,200 vs. $45,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Stanislaus graduates have a $2,992 lower median loan debt than Metropolitan State University graduates ($15,000 vs. $17,992).
• Among borrowers, CSU Stanislaus graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Metropolitan State University graduates ($155 vs. $186).
• More CSU Stanislaus graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Metropolitan State University students, three years after graduation. (64% vs. 57%)

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.