MSU Billings vs. CSU Channel Islands

Comparable Facts

Compare Montana State University Billings in Billings, MT 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 MSU Billings based on total student enrollment (5,592 students vs. 4,129 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Montana State University Billings is located in Billings, MT (Midsize City setting); California State University Channel Islands is in Camarillo, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Montana State University Billings is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. California State University Channel Islands is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Montana State University Billings 14:1; California State University Channel Islands 16:1.

MSU Billings vs. CSU Channel Islands Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MSU Billings 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 MSU Billings ($10,632 vs. $15,018).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Montana State University Billings are 35.6% lower than at California State University Channel Islands ($9,980 vs. $15,490).
• Montana State University Billings is 1.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU Channel Islands (about $121 more per year; $7,280.00 vs. $7,159.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.9% higher at MSU Billings than at California State University Channel Islands (about $3,138 more per year; $22,897.00 vs. $19,759.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Montana State University Billings than at California State University Channel Islands (90% vs. 79%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Channel Islands students is 71.3% larger than aid received by Montana State University Billings students ($12,528 vs. $7,313).

MSU Billings vs. CSU Channel Islands Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MSU Billings 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 MSU Billings.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MSU Billings - Not reported; CSU Channel Islands - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Channel Islands Jul 30, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CSU Channel Islands students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.22) than students at MSU Billings (3.05).

MSU Billings vs. CSU Channel Islands Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MSU Billings 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 Montana State University Billings's (33%).
• Graduates from California State University Channel Islands earn a median of about $8,300 more per year than MSU Billings graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,100 vs. $37,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Channel Islands graduates have a $2,317 lower median loan debt than MSU Billings graduates ($15,183 vs. $17,500).
• Among borrowers, CSU Channel Islands graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MSU Billings graduates ($156 vs. $180).
• More CSU Channel Islands graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MSU Billings students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 58%)

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.