CSU vs. Cal State LA

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

California State University Chico
California State University Los Angeles

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Cal State LA (91.3% admitted vs 92.7%). Typical SAT 970 vs 1070.
  • Cheaper after aid: Cal State LA. Average net price is $4,460 vs $14,630 at CSU.
  • Graduation: CSU 59% vs Cal State LA 36%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: CSU $52,400 vs Cal State LA $46,900 (median).
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Key differences

California State University Chico California State University Los Angeles
Acceptance rate
Cal State LA more selective
CSU92.7%
Cal State LA91.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
CSU higher
CSU970-1170
Cal State LA870-1060
Average net price
Cal State LA $10,170 less
CSU$14,630
Cal State LA$4,460
In-state tuition
Cal State LA $1,312 less
CSU$8,472
Cal State LA$7,160
Out-of-state tuition
Cal State LA $1,312 less
CSU$21,072
Cal State LA$19,760
Graduation rate
CSU +23 pts
CSU59%
Cal State LA36%
Median earnings (10 years)
CSU +$5,500
CSU$52,400
Cal State LA$46,900

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • CSU 23,322
  • Cal State LA 32,723
  • Admitted
  • CSU 21,623
  • Cal State LA 29,860
  • Acceptance rate
  • CSU 92.7%
  • Cal State LA 91.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • CSU 10.2%
  • Cal State LA 9.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • CSU 1070
  • Cal State LA 970
  • Typical ACT score
  • CSU 21
  • Cal State LA 17
  • Average high school GPA
  • CSU 3.37
  • Cal State LA 3.31
  • Typical high school grades
  • CSU B+
  • Cal State LA B+
  • Admissions standards
  • CSU Very Easy
  • Cal State LA Extremely Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • CSU
  • Cal State LA
  • SAT range
  • CSU 970-1170
  • Cal State LA 870-1060
  • ACT range
  • CSU 18-24
  • Cal State LA 15-20
  • Submit test scores
  • CSU Test-free
  • Cal State LA Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • CSU Dec 15, 2026
  • Cal State LA Jan 19, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • CSU $8,472
  • Cal State LA $7,160
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • CSU $21,072
  • Cal State LA $19,760
  • Room & board
  • CSU $16,500
  • Cal State LA $19,696
  • Average net price
  • CSU $14,630
  • Cal State LA $4,460
  • Average grant aid
  • CSU $11,509
  • Cal State LA $13,824
  • % receiving grant aid
  • CSU 66%
  • Cal State LA 94%
  • Graduation rate
  • CSU 59%
  • Cal State LA 36%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • CSU $52,400
  • Cal State LA $46,900
  • Making student loan payments
  • CSU 70%
  • Cal State LA 57%
  • Median student loan debt
  • CSU $17,000
  • Cal State LA $12,920
  • Median loan payment
  • CSU $175
  • Cal State LA $133
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • CSU 23:1
  • Cal State LA 21:1
  • Popular majors
  • CSU
    • Business (17%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
  • Cal State LA
    • Business (22%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Psychology (7%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Location
  • CSU Chico, CA
  • Cal State LA Los Angeles, CA
  • Setting
  • CSU Small City
  • Cal State LA Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • CSU 15,257
  • Cal State LA 23,163
  • Type
  • CSU Public 4 Year
  • Cal State LA Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • CSU #675
  • Cal State LA #934

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Los Angeles is larger than CSU based on total student enrollment (23,163 students vs. 15,257 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Chico are 16.2% lower than at California State University Los Angeles ($16,500 vs. $19,696).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 6.6% higher at CSU than at California State University Los Angeles (about $1,312 more per year; $21,072 vs. $19,760).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Los Angeles than at California State University Chico (94% vs. 66%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Los Angeles students is 20.1% larger than aid received by California State University Chico students ($13,824 vs. $11,509).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at CSU than at Cal State LA (21 vs. 17, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both CSU and Cal State LA.
  • Typical fall application deadline: CSU Dec 15, 2026; Cal State LA Jan 19, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at CSU average a 3.37 high school GPA, 0.06 higher than at Cal State LA (3.31).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.2% at CSU vs. 9.4% at Cal State LA.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Los Angeles graduates have a $4,080 lower median loan debt than CSU graduates ($12,920 vs. $17,000).
  • Among borrowers, Cal State LA graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU graduates ($133 vs. $175).
  • More CSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cal State LA students, three years after graduation (70% vs. 57%).

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

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