CSU vs. Life Pacific University

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Chico in Chico, CA with Life Pacific University in San Dimas, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

California State University Chico is larger than Life Pacific University based on total student enrollment (15,257 students vs. 621 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Chico is located in Chico, CA (Small City setting); Life Pacific University is in San Dimas, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• California State University Chico is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Life Pacific University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Chico 23:1; Life Pacific University 12:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Life Pacific University are 26.1% lower than at California State University Chico ($12,190 vs. $16,500).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5% higher at Life Pacific University than at California State University Chico (about $1,046 more per year; $22,118 vs. $21,072).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Life Pacific University than at California State University Chico (100% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Life Pacific University students is 19% larger than aid received by California State University Chico students ($13,696 vs. $11,509).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at CSU than at Life Pacific University (21 vs. 20, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both CSU and Life Pacific University.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Dec 15, 2026; Life Pacific University May 1, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at CSU average a 3.37 high school GPA, 0.46 higher than at Life Pacific University (2.91).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.2% at CSU vs. 33.8% at Life Pacific University.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Chico graduates have a $3,530 lower median loan debt than Life Pacific University graduates ($17,000 vs. $20,530).
• Among borrowers, CSU graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Life Pacific University graduates ($175 vs. $212).
• More CSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Life Pacific University students, three years after graduation (70% vs. 54%).

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