Cal State East Bay: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Officially California State University-East Bay · Hayward, California · Public · Open access · CDS 2024-2025
Ranked #24 in Regional Universities West; Business Programs #390 (tie), Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs #140 (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-East Bay.
Is Cal State East Bay a reach, target or safety for your student?
Enter a GPA and course load and the calculator places Cal State East Bay against it in about a minute. No account needed.
Cal State East Bay is a public university in Hayward, California that admits about 97% of applicants, making it a open access school. The average family pays about $9,320 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Business Administration, Management and Operations, Psychology, General and Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 3.0 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
Cal State East Bay is a public institution located in Hayward, California. For the most recent reporting cycle, Cal State East Bay admits the majority of qualified applicants, with an overall admission rate of 97%. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $9,320 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for Cal State East Bay?
Cal State East Bay 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 Cal State East Bay with the other schools on your list
Open Cal State East Bay in College Search to set it beside up to three other colleges on cost, admission odds and outcomes, and save it to a shortlist when you are ready.
SAT and ACT scores Cal State East Bay 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: Cal State East Bay does not consider SAT or ACT scores in admission decisions, even if submitted.
- • CSU campus: SAT/ACT not used for admission. Eligibility based on A-G courses, A-G GPA and the CSU Multi-Factor Admission Score.
- • Checked for Fall 2027 applicants on Cal State East Bay's admissions site. Policies change; confirm before you apply.
How much does Cal State East Bay actually cost?
Published tuition is $7,583 for in-state students and $20,183 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $17,831 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $9,320 per year, and that is the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 44% of students receive Pell Grants.
| Average net price (after aid) | $9,320 |
| Financial aid forms | FAFSA only (no CSS Profile)College Board 2026-27 list |
Application deadlines and early decision data for Cal State East Bay
Most popular majors at Cal State East Bay
The most popular undergraduate programs at Cal State East Bay, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Business Administration, Management and Operations, Psychology, General and Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General. Across all programs, Cal State East Bay confers roughly 2,607 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Business Administration, Management and Operations program report a median income of about $77,879 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 800 | $77,879 |
| Psychology, General | 460 | $57,858 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | 311 | $64,973 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 238 | $69,766 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | 228 | $62,078 |
| Computer Science | 193 | $111,870 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 189 | $60,234 |
| Sociology | 188 | $61,001 |
Is Cal State East Bay safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Cal State East Bay disclosed 29 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 3.0 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
- California State University-San Bernardino94% acceptance
- California State University-Dominguez Hills93% acceptance
- California State University-Stanislaus98% acceptance
- California State University-Bakersfield94% acceptance
- California State University-Monterey Bay97% acceptance
- California State University-San Marcos95% acceptance
- California State University-Channel Islands95% acceptance
- Art Center College of Design75% acceptance
Next steps for Cal State East Bay
Common questions parents ask about Cal State East Bay
What GPA do I need for Cal State East Bay?
Cal State East Bay 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 Cal State East Bay typically admit?
Cal State East Bay 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 Cal State East Bay actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at Cal State East Bay after grants and scholarships is $9,320 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $7,583 and $20,183 out of state. Budget against the net figure.
Is Cal State East Bay realistic for my child?
Cal State East Bay admits 97% of applicants, so the transcript and course rigour carry the decision, with no published score band to place against. Then check the $9,320 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at Cal State East Bay?
Cal State East Bay accepts about 97% of applicants. It admits the majority of qualified applicants.
Is Cal State East Bay test-optional?
Cal State East Bay is test-blind for Fall 2027 applicants: it does not consider SAT or ACT scores in admission decisions, even if you submit them.
Is Cal State East Bay a public or private school, and where is it located?
Cal State East Bay is a public institution located in Hayward, California.
What are the most popular majors at Cal State East Bay?
The largest undergraduate majors at Cal State East Bay by annual graduates are Business Administration, Management and Operations, Psychology, General and Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General. The school awards about 2,607 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is Cal State East Bay safe? What is its campus crime rate?
Cal State East Bay reported 29 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 3.0 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-East Bay, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers