SCI-Arc vs. CSU Channel Islands

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern California Institute of Architecture in Los Angeles, 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 SCI-Arc based on total student enrollment (5,592 students vs. 418 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern California Institute of Architecture is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); California State University Channel Islands is in Camarillo, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Southern California Institute of Architecture 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: Southern California Institute of Architecture 9:1; California State University Channel Islands 16:1.

SCI-Arc vs. CSU Channel Islands Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SCI-Arc 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 SCI-Arc ($10,632 vs. $28,985).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern California Institute of Architecture are 12.2% lower than at California State University Channel Islands ($13,600 vs. $15,490).
• Southern California Institute of Architecture is 684.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU Channel Islands (about $49,003 more per year; $56,162.00 vs. $7,159.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 184.2% higher at SCI-Arc than at California State University Channel Islands (about $36,403 more per year; $56,162.00 vs. $19,759.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Channel Islands than at Southern California Institute of Architecture (79% vs. 26%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern California Institute of Architecture students is 240.3% larger than aid received by California State University Channel Islands students ($42,627 vs. $12,528).

SCI-Arc vs. CSU Channel Islands Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SCI-Arc or CSU Channel Islands? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between CSU Channel Islands and SCI-Arc.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Southern California Institute of Architecture 1020/1230.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SCI-Arc - Test optional; CSU Channel Islands - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: SCI-Arc Jan 15, 2027; CSU Channel Islands Jul 30, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman SCI-Arc students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at CSU Channel Islands (3.22).
• CSU Channel Islands has a higher acceptance rate (94.8%) than SCI-Arc (76.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7% at SCI-Arc vs. 6.2% at CSU Channel Islands.

SCI-Arc vs. CSU Channel Islands Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SCI-Arc and CSU Channel Islands? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Southern California Institute of Architecture's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than California State University Channel Islands's (54%).
• Graduates from Southern California Institute of Architecture earn a median of about $300 more per year than CSU Channel Islands graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,400 vs. $46,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Channel Islands graduates have a $27,567 lower median loan debt than SCI-Arc graduates ($15,183 vs. $42,750).
• Among borrowers, CSU Channel Islands graduates have an estimated $286 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SCI-Arc graduates ($156 vs. $442).
• More CSU Channel Islands graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SCI-Arc students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 62%)

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.