Western New Mexico University vs. CSU Channel Islands

Should I go to Western New Mexico University or California State University Channel Islands? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Western New Mexico University or CSU Channel Islands is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Western New Mexico University vs. California State University Channel Islands comparison
Western New Mexico University California State University Channel Islands College 3 College 4
California State University Channel Islands
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Overview

Western New Mexico University CSU Channel Islands
Location Silver City, NM Camarillo, CA
Setting Remote Town Rural Fringe
Enrollment 3,378 6,128
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website wnmu.edu csuci.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Western New Mexico University CSU Channel Islands
Tuition (In State) $4,770 $5,742
Tuition (Out of State) $11,400 $17,622
Room & Board $10,940 $16,300
Avg Net Price $10,676 $13,540
Avg Grant Aid $8,967 $9,412
% Receiving Grant Aid 89% 72%

Admission

Western New Mexico University CSU Channel Islands
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied - 10,420
Admitted - 9,342
Acceptance Rate Open 89.7%
Enrolled % Open 6.8%
Avg High School GPA 2.5 3.22
Typical High School Grades C+ B
Admissions Standards Unavailable Unavailable
Applicant Competition
ACT Range
SAT Range
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Aug 12, 2025 Jul 30, 2025

Academics

Western New Mexico University CSU Channel Islands
Student to Faculty Ratio 11:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (18%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (7%)
  • Business (17%)
  • Psychology (16%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (11%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Communication (9%)

Outcomes

Western New Mexico University CSU Channel Islands
Graduation Rate 13% 54%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $35,600 $46,100
Making Student Loan Payments 34% 66%
Median Student Loan Debt $20,686 $15,183
Median Loan Payment $213 $156

Diversity

Western New Mexico University CSU Channel Islands
% Men 33% 34%
% Women 67% 66%
Racial Diversity High Very High
HBCU No No
% White 29% 32%
% Black 7% 2%
% Hispanic 51% 49%
% Native American 3% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 5%
% International 2% 0%
% Unknown Race 6% 6%

Students

Western New Mexico University CSU Channel Islands
% In-State 75% 99%
% Out-of-State 23% 1%

Campus

Western New Mexico University CSU Channel Islands
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • California State University Channel Islands is larger than than Western New Mexico University based on total student enrollment (6,128 students vs. 3,378 students)

Western New Mexico University vs. CSU Channel Islands Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Western New Mexico University or CSU Channel Islands?

  • California State University Channel Islands is 20.4% more expensive to attend than Western New Mexico University for in-state tuition ($5,742.00 vs. $4,770.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 54.6% higher at CSU Channel Islands than Western New Mexico University ($17,622.00 vs. $11,400.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western New Mexico University than CSU Channel Islands ($10,676 vs. $13,540)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western New Mexico University are 49% lower than costs at California State University Channel Islands ($10,940 vs. $16,300)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Western New Mexico University than California State University Channel Islands (89% vs. 72%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Channel Islands students is 5% larger than aid received Western New Mexico University ($9,412 vs. $8,967)

Which college is harder to get into, Western New Mexico University or CSU Channel Islands? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between CSU Channel Islands or Western New Mexico University .

  • Accepted freshman CSU Channel Islands students have a 0.72 point higher average high school GPA (3.22) than students at Western New Mexico University (2.5)

Western New Mexico University vs. CSU Channel Islands Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Western New Mexico University or CSU Channel Islands? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between CSU Channel Islands and Western New Mexico University.

  • The graduation rate at CSU Channel Islands is higher than Western New Mexico University (54% vs. 13%)
  • Graduates from California State University Channel Islands earn on average $10,500 more per year than Western New Mexico University graduates after ten years. ($46,100 vs. $35,600)
  • California State University Channel Islands students graduate with a $5,503 lower median federal student loan debt than Western New Mexico University graduates. ($15,183 vs. $20,686)
  • CSU Channel Islands graduates are paying $57 less per month on federal student loans than Western New Mexico University graduates. ($156 vs. $213)
  • More CSU Channel Islands graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western New Mexico University students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 34%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/