California Baptist University vs. CSU

California Baptist University and California State University Chico side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

California Baptist University
California State University Chico

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: California Baptist University (84.9% admitted vs 92.7%). Typical SAT 1060 vs 1070.
  • Cheaper after aid: CSU. Average net price is $14,630 vs $27,862 at California Baptist University.
  • Graduation: California Baptist University 55% vs CSU 59%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: California Baptist University $45,100 vs CSU $52,400 (median).
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Key differences

California Baptist University California State University Chico
Acceptance rate
California Baptist University more selective
California Baptist University84.9%
CSU92.7%
SAT range (middle 50%)
CSU higher
California Baptist University960-1150
CSU970-1170
Average net price
CSU $13,232 less
California Baptist University$27,862
CSU$14,630
In-state tuition
CSU $32,756 less
California Baptist University$41,228
CSU$8,472
Out-of-state tuition
CSU $20,156 less
California Baptist University$41,228
CSU$21,072
Graduation rate
CSU +4 pts
California Baptist University55%
CSU59%
Median earnings (10 years)
CSU +$7,300
California Baptist University$45,100
CSU$52,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • California Baptist University 7,990
  • CSU 23,322
  • Admitted
  • California Baptist University 6,782
  • CSU 21,623
  • Acceptance rate
  • California Baptist University 84.9%
  • CSU 92.7%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • California Baptist University 23.8%
  • CSU 10.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • California Baptist University 1060
  • CSU 1070
  • Typical ACT score
  • California Baptist University 21
  • CSU 21
  • Average high school GPA
  • California Baptist University 3.58
  • CSU 3.37
  • Typical high school grades
  • California Baptist University A-
  • CSU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • California Baptist University Very Easy
  • CSU Very Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • California Baptist University
  • CSU
  • SAT range
  • California Baptist University 960-1150
  • CSU 970-1170
  • ACT range
  • California Baptist University 18-25
  • CSU 18-24
  • Submit test scores
  • California Baptist University Test-free
  • CSU Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • California Baptist University
  • CSU Dec 15, 2026
  • Tuition (in state)
  • California Baptist University $41,228
  • CSU $8,472
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • California Baptist University $41,228
  • CSU $21,072
  • Room & board
  • California Baptist University $12,140
  • CSU $16,500
  • Average net price
  • California Baptist University $27,862
  • CSU $14,630
  • Average grant aid
  • California Baptist University $26,743
  • CSU $11,509
  • % receiving grant aid
  • California Baptist University 99%
  • CSU 66%
  • Graduation rate
  • California Baptist University 55%
  • CSU 59%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • California Baptist University $45,100
  • CSU $52,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • California Baptist University 58%
  • CSU 70%
  • Median student loan debt
  • California Baptist University $27,000
  • CSU $17,000
  • Median loan payment
  • California Baptist University $279
  • CSU $175
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • California Baptist University 21:1
  • CSU 23:1
  • Popular majors
  • California Baptist University
    • Business (13%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (7%)
  • CSU
    • Business (17%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
  • Location
  • California Baptist University Riverside, CA
  • CSU Chico, CA
  • Setting
  • California Baptist University Large City
  • CSU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • California Baptist University 11,902
  • CSU 15,257
  • Type
  • California Baptist University Private 4 Year
  • CSU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • California Baptist University #796
  • CSU #675

Comparable Facts

Compare California Baptist University in Riverside, CA with California State University Chico in Chico, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

California State University Chico is larger than California Baptist University based on total student enrollment (15,257 students vs. 11,902 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • California Baptist University is located in Riverside, CA (Large City setting); California State University Chico is in Chico, CA (Small City setting).
  • California Baptist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. California State University Chico is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: California Baptist University 21:1; California State University Chico 23:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California Baptist University are 26.4% lower than at California State University Chico ($12,140 vs. $16,500).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 95.7% higher at California Baptist University than at California State University Chico (about $20,156 more per year; $41,228 vs. $21,072).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at California Baptist University than at California State University Chico (99% vs. 66%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by California Baptist University students is 132.4% larger than aid received by California State University Chico students ($26,743 vs. $11,509).

Admissions details

  • Incoming California Baptist University students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 21) as students at CSU (21).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both California Baptist University and CSU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: CSU Dec 15, 2026.
  • Enrolled first-year students at California Baptist University average a 3.58 high school GPA, 0.21 higher than at CSU (3.37).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.8% at California Baptist University vs. 10.2% at CSU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Chico graduates have a $10,000 lower median loan debt than California Baptist University graduates ($17,000 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, CSU graduates have an estimated $104 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California Baptist University graduates ($175 vs. $279).
  • More CSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California Baptist University students, three years after graduation (70% vs. 58%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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