WNC vs. CSU Channel Islands

Comparable Facts

Compare Western Nevada College in Carson City, NV 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 WNC based on total student enrollment (5,592 students vs. 4,284 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Western Nevada College is located in Carson City, NV (Rural Fringe setting); California State University Channel Islands is in Camarillo, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Western Nevada College 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: Western Nevada College 15:1; California State University Channel Islands 16:1.

WNC vs. CSU Channel Islands Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WNC 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 WNC ($10,632 vs. $14,929).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Channel Islands are 12.9% lower than at Western Nevada College ($15,490 vs. $17,788).
• California State University Channel Islands is 71.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than WNC (about $2,991 more per year; $7,159.00 vs. $4,168.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 54% higher at CSU Channel Islands than at Western Nevada College (about $6,925 more per year; $19,759.00 vs. $12,834.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Nevada College than at California State University Channel Islands (88% vs. 79%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Channel Islands students is 113.3% larger than aid received by Western Nevada College students ($12,528 vs. $5,874).

WNC vs. CSU Channel Islands Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WNC 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 WNC.

• Western Nevada College reports an open admissions policy.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WNC - Open admission; CSU Channel Islands - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Channel Islands Jul 30, 2027.

WNC vs. CSU Channel Islands Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WNC 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).

• Graduates from California State University Channel Islands earn a median of about $12,400 more per year than WNC graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,100 vs. $33,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Nevada College graduates have a $3,867 lower median loan debt than CSU Channel Islands graduates ($11,316 vs. $15,183).
• Among borrowers, WNC graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU Channel Islands graduates ($117 vs. $156).
• More CSU Channel Islands graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WNC students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 30%)

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.