WSSU vs. CSU Channel Islands

Comparable Facts

Compare Winston Salem State University in Winston-Salem, NC 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 WSSU based on total student enrollment (5,592 students vs. 4,782 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Winston Salem State University is located in Winston-Salem, NC (Midsize City setting); California State University Channel Islands is in Camarillo, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Winston Salem 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: Winston Salem State University 15:1; California State University Channel Islands 16:1.

WSSU vs. CSU Channel Islands Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, WSSU 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 WSSU ($10,632 vs. $12,989).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Winston Salem State University are 25.9% lower than at California State University Channel Islands ($11,484 vs. $15,490).
• California State University Channel Islands is 16.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than WSSU (about $1,033 more per year; $7,159.00 vs. $6,126.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 17.7% higher at CSU Channel Islands than at Winston Salem State University (about $2,977 more per year; $19,759.00 vs. $16,782.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Winston Salem State University than at California State University Channel Islands (91% vs. 79%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Channel Islands students is 24.6% larger than aid received by Winston Salem State University students ($12,528 vs. $10,057).

WSSU vs. CSU Channel Islands Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, WSSU 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 WSSU.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Winston Salem State University 830/1020.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Winston Salem State University 15/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: WSSU - Test optional; CSU Channel Islands - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: WSSU Feb 15, 2027; CSU Channel Islands Jul 30, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CSU Channel Islands students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.22) than students at WSSU (3.01).
• CSU Channel Islands has a higher acceptance rate (94.8%) than WSSU (78.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.1% at WSSU vs. 6.2% at CSU Channel Islands.

WSSU vs. CSU Channel Islands Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for WSSU 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 Winston Salem State University's (41%).
• Graduates from California State University Channel Islands earn a median of about $10,400 more per year than WSSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,100 vs. $35,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Channel Islands graduates have a $10,480 lower median loan debt than WSSU graduates ($15,183 vs. $25,663).
• Among borrowers, CSU Channel Islands graduates have an estimated $109 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WSSU graduates ($156 vs. $265).
• More CSU Channel Islands graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WSSU students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 33%)

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.