San Francisco State vs. CSU Channel Islands

Comparable Facts

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

San Francisco State University is larger than CSU Channel Islands based on total student enrollment (22,563 students vs. 5,592 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• San Francisco State University is located in San Francisco, CA (Large City setting); California State University Channel Islands is in Camarillo, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• San Francisco State University 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: San Francisco State University 19:1; California State University Channel Islands 16:1.

San Francisco State vs. CSU Channel Islands Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, San Francisco State 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 San Francisco State ($10,632 vs. $13,168).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Channel Islands are 30.4% lower than at San Francisco State University ($15,490 vs. $22,266).
• San Francisco State University is 11% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU Channel Islands (about $791 more per year; $7,950.00 vs. $7,159.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4% higher at San Francisco State than at California State University Channel Islands (about $791 more per year; $20,550.00 vs. $19,759.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Channel Islands than at San Francisco State University (79% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Francisco State University students is 3.7% larger than aid received by California State University Channel Islands students ($12,996 vs. $12,528).

San Francisco State vs. CSU Channel Islands Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, San Francisco State 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 San Francisco State.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Francisco State University 930/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Francisco State University 16/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: San Francisco State - Test-free; CSU Channel Islands - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: San Francisco State Nov 30, 2026; CSU Channel Islands Jul 30, 2027.
• Accepted freshman San Francisco State students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at CSU Channel Islands (3.22).
• San Francisco State has a higher acceptance rate (96.4%) than CSU Channel Islands (94.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 8.6% at San Francisco State vs. 6.2% at CSU Channel Islands.

San Francisco State vs. CSU Channel Islands Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for San Francisco State 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 San Francisco State University's (46%).
• Graduates from San Francisco State University earn a median of about $6,500 more per year than CSU Channel Islands graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,600 vs. $46,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Channel Islands graduates have a $2,067 lower median loan debt than San Francisco State graduates ($15,183 vs. $17,250).
• Among borrowers, CSU Channel Islands graduates have an estimated $22 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than San Francisco State graduates ($156 vs. $178).
• More CSU Channel Islands graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former San Francisco State students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 63%)

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.