C+
Above Average
Score: 60/100
Overall (traditional)
C+
Outcome Rating
57/100 · earnings-weighted

California State University-Channel Islands

4-Year Public
📍 Camarillo, California 93012
California State University-Channel Islands campus, Camarillo, CA
California State University-Channel Islands campus, Camarillo, CA. Photo: Kevin, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
Outcomes
B
68/100
Affordability
B
72/100
Resources
C
53/100
Experience
B
70/100
Prestige
D
36/100

Two ratings: the overall grade compares colleges the conventional way (outcomes, cost, resources, experience, reputation). The Outcome Rating asks what students earn: 60% wage-adjusted earnings 10 years after enrolling, 25% graduation, 15% retention. Methodology

Quick Stats

5,688
Total Enrollment
53%
Graduation Rate
73%
Retention Rate
15.0:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
93%
Acceptance Rate
$10,931
Avg Net Price
🏠 Housing Market Near California State University-Channel Islands ▼

7% of first-year students live off campus and not with family (U.S. Dept. of Education, IPEDS). Upper-year students at most universities move off campus at much higher rates, so near-campus rental demand is typically larger than this figure suggests.

Avg Home Value
$919,502
Avg Monthly Rent
$3,085
1-Year Change
+0.5%

Earnings, Debt & Completion

What happens to students who enroll at California State University-Channel Islands, from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.

$62,152
Median earnings 10 yrs after entry
$46,785
Median earnings 6 yrs after entry
$15,000
Median debt at graduation
51.3%
Completion rate (within 150% of normal time)
46.6%
Students receiving Pell grants

Typical debt at graduation equals about 24% of one year’s median earnings ten years after entry.

Earnings rank: 55th percentile among bachelor’s-degree-focused colleges after a partial adjustment for local wage levels (CA wage index 1.21). This drives the Outcome Rating.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, retrieved Oct 2026. Earnings are for federally aided students who enrolled, whether or not they graduated.

Earnings by Major at California State University-Channel Islands

Median pay of bachelor's degree graduates by field of study, and how each program ranks against every college reporting that major — by raw pay and adjusted for state wage levels. Same school, very different paychecks.

Major1 yr after4 yrs aftervs. nationalRank (pay)Rank (wage-adj.)Median debt
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$103,484$112,691+27%#49 of 966#108$15,238
Computer Science$59,374$100,887-6%#165 of 349#240$18,750
Economics$57,440$71,662-13%#253 of 368#303—
Business Administration, Management and Operations$47,581$71,183+4%#340 of 1176#651$15,000
Mathematics$34,118$70,628+2%#154 of 309#205$17,062
Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy$31,760$67,558+20%#7 of 29#9$19,209
Biology$38,344$62,384+9%#272 of 841#478$18,375
Communication and Media Studies$40,109$59,332+5%#188 of 660#343$13,429
Chemistry$46,131$58,498-10%#165 of 209#197$21,250
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences$34,053$58,396-5%#84 of 156#115$14,500
Political Science and Government$34,799$58,306-8%#367 of 565#474$15,520
Sociology$36,557$56,855+8%#131 of 462#240$14,717
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities$28,324$54,015+2%#200 of 476#337$17,874
English Language and Literature$24,748$53,200+9%#167 of 576#309$13,000
Anthropology$26,502$51,951+11%#51 of 188#89$19,375
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics$30,502$50,202-9%#182 of 225#201—
Education$34,646$49,106+-0%#12 of 27#23$14,467
Psychology$32,706$48,789-4%#614 of 1027#891$15,000
Computer and Information Sciences$45,552—————
Fine and Studio Arts$22,129$45,548+10%#110 of 423#215$13,038
History$24,134$42,229-17%#418 of 459#449$15,898
Natural Resources Conservation and Research$31,938—————

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study data. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working; small programs are not reported.

For parents & investors

The California State University-Channel Islands Town Property Report

  • Avg home value near campus: $919,502
  • Avg rent near campus: $3,085/mo — vs ~$1,082/mo campus room rate
  • Top nearby ZIP by cap rate: 93041 (3.5% cap, Port Hueneme)

Get the free 1-page report: rent-vs-dorm math, the 3 best nearby ZIPs by yield, and the “kiddie condo” strategy parents use.

✓ Sent — check your inbox

Free — no spam, unsubscribe anytime.

🏆 Where California State University-Channel Islands Ranks

Rankings based on Repit College Grade among schools offering each program.

#25
Education, Other
of 45 schools
#29
Biotechnology
of 35 schools

Costs & Financial Aid

Tuition & Fees

Category In-State Out-of-State
Tuition $5,742 $17,622
Room $9,740
Board $4,920
Total Cost (On-Campus) $25,637 $37,517

Financial Aid

83%
Receive Any Aid
56%
Receive Pell Grants
26%
Take Out Loans
$10,931
Avg Net Price

Net Price by Family Income

Family Income Average Net Price
$0 - $30,000$7,077
$30,001 - $48,000$7,350
$48,001 - $75,000$9,293
$75,001 - $110,000$15,043
$110,001+$20,871

Student Demographics

5,688
Total Students
65%
Women
71%
Traditional Age (18-24)
7%
Off-Campus Renters

👥 Race & Ethnicity

White 23%
Hispanic 58%
Black 2%
Asian 7%
Two or More 4%
Non-Resident 2%

🏠 Living Arrangements

On Campus 63%
Off-Campus (Renters) 7%
With Family 30%
🏘️ Rental Demand: ~415 students need off-campus housing

💻 Learning Mode

In-Person 21%
Hybrid (Some Online) 64%
Fully Online 15%

📊 Age Distribution

18-24 (Traditional) 71%
25-64 (Adult) 28%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at California State University-Channel Islands?
California State University-Channel Islands has an acceptance rate of 93%. This indicates a less selective admissions process with good chances for qualified applicants.
How much does it cost to attend California State University-Channel Islands?
Tuition at California State University-Channel Islands is $5,742 for in-state students and $17,622 for out-of-state students . However, the average net price after financial aid is $10,931.
What is the graduation rate at California State University-Channel Islands?
The graduation rate at California State University-Channel Islands is 53%. This graduation rate is below average. Consider factors like program type and student demographics when evaluating.
Is California State University-Channel Islands a good school?
California State University-Channel Islands has a Repit College Score of 60/100 (Grade: C+). Our rating evaluates five key factors:
  • Outcomes (B): Graduation and retention rates
  • Affordability (B): Net cost and financial aid access
  • Resources (C): Class sizes and selectivity
  • Experience (B): Campus life and learning format
  • Prestige (D): Reputation and recognition
How many students attend California State University-Channel Islands?
California State University-Channel Islands has a total enrollment of 5,688 students. Most students (71%) are traditional college-age (18-24).
Is there rental demand near California State University-Channel Islands?
Yes! Approximately 7% of students at California State University-Channel Islands live off-campus (not with family). That's roughly 415 students who need rental housing near campus.

Deciding between a dorm and buying near campus? Run the numbers for California State University-Channel Islands — four years of dorm costs vs. owning, including what you’d recover at resale. Buy vs Dorm calculator →

🎓 Similar Colleges to California State University-Channel Islands

Compare with other 4-Year public institutions of similar size.

C+
California State University-San Marcos
San Marcos, CA · 15,431 students
C+
California State University-Chico
Chico, CA · 14,523 students
C+
California State University-East Bay
Hayward, CA · 13,333 students
C+
Foothill College
Los Altos Hills, CA · 12,931 students
C+
California State University-Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA · 9,787 students
C+
Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA · 5,990 students

Data source: IPEDS 2023-24 | Last updated: October 2026 | Methodology