CSU vs. Laguna College of Art and Design

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Chico in Chico, CA with Laguna College of Art and Design in Laguna Beach, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Chico is larger than Laguna College of Art and Design based on total student enrollment (15,257 students vs. 775 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Chico is located in Chico, CA (Small City setting); Laguna College of Art and Design is in Laguna Beach, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• California State University Chico is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Laguna College of Art and Design is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Chico 23:1; Laguna College of Art and Design 9:1.

CSU vs. Laguna College of Art and Design Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU or Laguna College of Art and Design? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at California State University Chico than Laguna College of Art and Design ($14,630 vs. $47,702).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Chico are 15.6% lower than at Laguna College of Art and Design ($16,500 vs. $19,553).
• Laguna College of Art and Design is 342.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU (about $29,028 more per year; $37,500.00 vs. $8,472.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 78% higher at Laguna College of Art and Design than at California State University Chico (about $16,428 more per year; $37,500.00 vs. $21,072.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Laguna College of Art and Design than at California State University Chico (100% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Chico students is 3.2% larger than aid received by Laguna College of Art and Design students ($11,509 vs. $11,153).

CSU vs. Laguna College of Art and Design Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU or Laguna College of Art and Design? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Laguna College of Art and Design and CSU.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Chico 970/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Chico 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind); Laguna College of Art and Design - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind).
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Dec 15, 2026; Laguna College of Art and Design Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Laguna College of Art and Design students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at CSU (3.37).
• Laguna College of Art and Design has a higher acceptance rate (94.3%) than CSU (92.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.2% at CSU vs. 23.1% at Laguna College of Art and Design.

CSU vs. Laguna College of Art and Design Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU and Laguna College of Art and Design? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• California State University Chico's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than Laguna College of Art and Design's (56%).
• Graduates from California State University Chico earn a median of about $12,300 more per year than Laguna College of Art and Design graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,400 vs. $40,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Chico graduates have a $9,699 lower median loan debt than Laguna College of Art and Design graduates ($17,000 vs. $26,699).
• Among borrowers, CSU graduates have an estimated $101 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Laguna College of Art and Design graduates ($175 vs. $276).
• More CSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Laguna College of Art and Design students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 61%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.