La Sierra University vs. CSU Channel Islands

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Channel Islands is larger than La Sierra University based on total student enrollment (5,592 students vs. 1,574 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• La Sierra University is located in Riverside, CA (Large City setting); California State University Channel Islands is in Camarillo, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• La Sierra University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. California State University Channel Islands is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: La Sierra University 12:1; California State University Channel Islands 16:1.

La Sierra University vs. CSU Channel Islands Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, La Sierra University or CSU Channel Islands? 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 Channel Islands than La Sierra University ($10,632 vs. $23,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at La Sierra University are 13.3% lower than at California State University Channel Islands ($13,431 vs. $15,490).
• La Sierra University is 426.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU Channel Islands (about $30,551 more per year; $37,710.00 vs. $7,159.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 90.8% higher at La Sierra University than at California State University Channel Islands (about $17,951 more per year; $37,710.00 vs. $19,759.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at La Sierra University than at California State University Channel Islands (98% vs. 79%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by La Sierra University students is 120.7% larger than aid received by California State University Channel Islands students ($27,646 vs. $12,528).

La Sierra University vs. CSU Channel Islands Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, La Sierra University or CSU Channel Islands? 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 CSU Channel Islands and La Sierra University.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: La Sierra University 880/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: La Sierra University 18/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: La Sierra University - Test-free; CSU Channel Islands - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Channel Islands Jul 30, 2027.
• Accepted freshman La Sierra University students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at CSU Channel Islands (3.22).
• CSU Channel Islands has a higher acceptance rate (94.8%) than La Sierra University (91.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.3% at La Sierra University vs. 6.2% at CSU Channel Islands.

La Sierra University vs. CSU Channel Islands Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for La Sierra University and CSU Channel Islands? 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 Channel Islands's six-year graduation rate (54%) is higher than La Sierra University's (32%).
• Graduates from La Sierra University earn a median of about $5,800 more per year than CSU Channel Islands graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,900 vs. $46,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Channel Islands graduates have a $14,817 lower median loan debt than La Sierra University graduates ($15,183 vs. $30,000).
• Among borrowers, CSU Channel Islands graduates have an estimated $154 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than La Sierra University graduates ($156 vs. $310).
• More CSU Channel Islands graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former La Sierra University students, three years after graduation. (66% 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.