CSU Channel Islands: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Officially California State University-Channel Islands · Camarillo, California · Public · Open access · CDS 2024-2025
Ranked #119 (tie) in National Liberal Arts Colleges; Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs #201 (tie), Computer Science #350 (tie), Nursing #336 (tie)U.S. News & World Report, Best Colleges 2027
Admission figures come from the 2024-2025 Common Data Set published by California State University-Channel Islands.
Is CSU Channel Islands a reach, target or safety for your student?
Enter a GPA and course load and the calculator places CSU Channel Islands against it in about a minute. No account needed.
CSU Channel Islands is a public university in Camarillo, California that admits about 95% of applicants, making it a open access school. The average family pays about $9,849 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Psychology, General, Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General and Business Administration, Management and Operations, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 1.4 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
CSU Channel Islands is a public institution located in Camarillo, California. For the most recent reporting cycle, CSU Channel Islands admits the majority of qualified applicants, with an overall admission rate of 95%. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $9,849 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for CSU Channel Islands?
CSU Channel Islands has a broadly accessible admissions profile, and most students who complete a standard college-prep curriculum with a 3.0 GPA or higher are competitive for admission.
Compare CSU Channel Islands with the other schools on your list
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SAT and ACT scores CSU Channel Islands typically admits
Many applicants to schools in this tier submit test scores, though the policy varies by year, so check the latest test-optional status before deciding.
- • Test-blind: CSU Channel Islands does not consider SAT or ACT scores in admission decisions, even if submitted.
- • CSU system does not use SAT/ACT for admission; scores may be used for course placement after admission.
- • Checked for Fall 2027 applicants on CSU Channel Islands's admissions site. Policies change; confirm before you apply.
How much does CSU Channel Islands actually cost?
Published tuition is $7,159 for in-state students and $19,759 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $15,490 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $9,849 per year, and that is the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 47% of students receive Pell Grants.
| Average net price (after aid) | $9,849 |
| Financial aid forms | FAFSA only (no CSS Profile)College Board 2026-27 list |
Application deadlines and early decision data for CSU Channel Islands
Most popular majors at CSU Channel Islands
The most popular undergraduate programs at CSU Channel Islands, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Psychology, General, Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General and Business Administration, Management and Operations. Across all programs, CSU Channel Islands confers roughly 1,356 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Psychology, General program report a median income of about $49,948 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Psychology, General | 356 | $49,948 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | 236 | n/a |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 215 | $66,220 |
| Sociology | 127 | $58,859 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 116 | $50,286 |
| Communication and Media Studies | 103 | $56,106 |
| Biology, General | 103 | $69,162 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 100 | $111,071 |
Is CSU Channel Islands safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), CSU Channel Islands disclosed 7 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 1.4 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 0 violent offenses and 5 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
Other colleges in California parents ask about
- Art Center College of Design75% acceptance
- California Institute of the Arts32% acceptance
- Whittier College81% acceptance
- Stanford University4% acceptance
- University of California-Berkeley11% acceptance
- University of California-Los Angeles9% acceptance
- University of Southern California10% acceptance
- University of California-Davis42% acceptance
Next steps for CSU Channel Islands
Common questions parents ask about CSU Channel Islands
What GPA do I need for CSU Channel Islands?
CSU Channel Islands has a broadly accessible admissions profile, and most students who complete a standard college-prep curriculum with a 3.0 GPA or higher are competitive for admission.
What SAT or ACT score does CSU Channel Islands typically admit?
CSU Channel Islands is test-blind: SAT and ACT scores are not considered in admission decisions, even if you submit them. There is no score range because scores are not read.
How much does CSU Channel Islands actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at CSU Channel Islands after grants and scholarships is $9,849 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $7,159 and $19,759 out of state. Budget against the net figure.
Is CSU Channel Islands realistic for my child?
CSU Channel Islands admits 95% of applicants, so the transcript and course rigour carry the decision, with no published score band to place against. Then check the $9,849 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at CSU Channel Islands?
CSU Channel Islands accepts about 95% of applicants. It admits the majority of qualified applicants.
Is CSU Channel Islands test-optional?
CSU Channel Islands is test-blind for Fall 2027 applicants: it does not consider SAT or ACT scores in admission decisions, even if you submit them.
Is CSU Channel Islands a public or private school, and where is it located?
CSU Channel Islands is a public institution located in Camarillo, California.
What are the most popular majors at CSU Channel Islands?
The largest undergraduate majors at CSU Channel Islands by annual graduates are Psychology, General, Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General and Business Administration, Management and Operations. The school awards about 1,356 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is CSU Channel Islands safe? What is its campus crime rate?
CSU Channel Islands reported 7 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 1.4 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
Sources: the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by California State University-Channel Islands, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers