Stanislaus State: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Officially California State University-Stanislaus · Turlock, California · Public · Open access · CDS 2024-2025
Ranked #12 (tie) in Regional Universities West; Business Programs #390 (tie), Computer Science #396 (tie), Nursing #288 (tie)U.S. News & World Report, Best Colleges 2027
Admission figures come from the 2024-2025 Common Data Set published by California State University-Stanislaus (see the source).
Is Stanislaus State a reach, target or safety for your student?
Enter a GPA and course load and the calculator places Stanislaus State against it in about a minute. No account needed.
Stanislaus State is a public university in Turlock, California that admits about 98% of applicants, making it a open access school. The average family pays about $6,067 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Psychology, General, Business Administration, Management and Operations and Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 1.3 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
Stanislaus State is a public institution located in Turlock, California. For the most recent reporting cycle, Stanislaus State admits the majority of qualified applicants, with an overall admission rate of 98%. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $6,067 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for Stanislaus State?
Stanislaus State 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 Stanislaus State with the other schools on your list
Open Stanislaus State 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 Stanislaus State 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: Stanislaus State does not consider SAT or ACT scores in admission decisions, even if submitted.
- • CSU campus: ACT/SAT not required and not used for admission. AP scores of 3+ still earn credit.
- • Checked for Fall 2027 applicants on Stanislaus State's admissions site. Policies change; confirm before you apply.
How much does Stanislaus State actually cost?
Published tuition is $8,246 for in-state students and $20,846 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $13,126 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $6,067 per year, and that is the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 55% of students receive Pell Grants.
| Average net price (after aid) | $6,067 |
| Financial aid forms | FAFSA only (no CSS Profile)College Board 2026-27 list |
Application deadlines and early decision data for Stanislaus State
Most popular majors at Stanislaus State
The most popular undergraduate programs at Stanislaus State, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Psychology, General, Business Administration, Management and Operations and Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. Across all programs, Stanislaus State confers roughly 1,779 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Psychology, General program report a median income of about $49,724 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Psychology, General | 478 | $49,724 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 409 | $63,404 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 246 | $58,883 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 195 | $62,061 |
| Sociology | 157 | $49,633 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 125 | $122,838 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 85 | $58,866 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 84 | $49,373 |
Is Stanislaus State safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Stanislaus State disclosed 11 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 1.3 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 2 violent offenses and 7 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
Other colleges in California parents ask about
- 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
- California Institute of the Arts32% acceptance
- Whittier College81% acceptance
- Stanford University4% acceptance
Next steps for Stanislaus State
Common questions parents ask about Stanislaus State
What GPA do I need for Stanislaus State?
Stanislaus State 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 Stanislaus State typically admit?
Stanislaus State 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 Stanislaus State actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at Stanislaus State after grants and scholarships is $6,067 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $8,246 and $20,846 out of state. Budget against the net figure.
Is Stanislaus State realistic for my child?
Stanislaus State admits 98% of applicants, so the transcript and course rigour carry the decision, with no published score band to place against. Then check the $6,067 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at Stanislaus State?
Stanislaus State accepts about 98% of applicants. It admits the majority of qualified applicants.
Is Stanislaus State test-optional?
Stanislaus State is test-blind for Fall 2027 applicants: it does not consider SAT or ACT scores in admission decisions, even if you submit them.
Is Stanislaus State a public or private school, and where is it located?
Stanislaus State is a public institution located in Turlock, California.
What are the most popular majors at Stanislaus State?
The largest undergraduate majors at Stanislaus State by annual graduates are Psychology, General, Business Administration, Management and Operations and Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. The school awards about 1,779 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is Stanislaus State safe? What is its campus crime rate?
Stanislaus State reported 11 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 1.3 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-Stanislaus, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers