CSU vs. NSU

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Chico in Chico, CA with Northern State University in Aberdeen, SD on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Chico is larger than NSU based on total student enrollment (15,257 students vs. 3,708 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Chico is located in Chico, CA (Small City setting); Northern State University is in Aberdeen, SD (Remote Town setting).
• California State University Chico is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Chico 23:1; Northern State University 19:1.

CSU vs. NSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU or NSU? 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 NSU ($14,630 vs. $15,990).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern State University are 35.8% lower than at California State University Chico ($10,600 vs. $16,500).
• Northern State University is 4.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU (about $373 more per year; $8,845.00 vs. $8,472.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 76.4% higher at CSU than at Northern State University (about $9,125 more per year; $21,072.00 vs. $11,947.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern State University than at California State University Chico (97% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Chico students is 78.7% larger than aid received by Northern State University students ($11,509 vs. $6,441).

CSU vs. NSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU or NSU? 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 NSU and CSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University Chico (1070) is the same as at NSU (1070).
• Incoming CSU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 21) as students at NSU (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Chico 970/1170; Northern State University 980/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Chico 18/24; Northern State University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU - Test-free; NSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Dec 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman CSU students have the same average high school GPA (3.37) as students at NSU (3.37).
• NSU has a higher acceptance rate (93%) than CSU (92.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.2% at CSU vs. 35.2% at NSU.

CSU vs. NSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU and NSU? 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 Northern State University's (42%).
• Graduates from California State University Chico earn a median of about $15,000 more per year than NSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,400 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Chico graduates have a $7,399 lower median loan debt than NSU graduates ($17,000 vs. $24,399).
• Among borrowers, CSU graduates have an estimated $77 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NSU graduates ($175 vs. $252).
• More CSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NSU students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 63%)

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.