CSU vs. NCU

Should I go to California State University Chico or Northwest Christian University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if CSU or NCU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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California State University Chico vs. Northwest Christian University comparison
California State University Chico Northwest Christian University College 3 College 4
California State University Chico
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Overview

 CSU NCU
Location Chico, CA Eugene, OR
Setting Small City Midsize City
Enrollment 14,183 699
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #659
Religious Affiliation - Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website csuchico.edu nwcu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 CSU NCU
Tuition (In State) $5,742 $33,000
Tuition (Out of State) $17,622 $33,000
Room & Board $15,212 $10,480
Avg Net Price $15,517 $23,787
Avg Grant Aid $9,162 $20,642
% Receiving Grant Aid 62% 99%

Admission

 CSU NCU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 21,417 552
Admitted 20,347 369
Acceptance Rate 95% 66.8%
Enrolled % 9.9% 24.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.37 3.45
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Very Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 18/24 17/18
SAT Range 970/1170 1140/1215
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Dec 15, 2023

Academics

 CSU NCU
Student to Faculty Ratio 20:1 12:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (17%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Business (33%)
  • Psychology (17%)
  • General Studies (12%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (7%)

Outcomes

 CSU NCU
Graduation Rate 59% 100%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $52,400 $45,900
Making Student Loan Payments 70% 56%
Median Student Loan Debt $17,000 $23,731
Median Loan Payment $175 $245

Diversity

 CSU NCU
% Men 45% 42%
% Women 55% 58%
Racial Diversity Very High Low
HBCU No No
% White 46% 77%
% Black 2% 3%
% Hispanic 29% 8%
% Native American 1% 3%
% Pacific Islander 0% 2%
% Two or More Races 5% 3%
% International 3% 0%
% Unknown Race 7% 2%

Students

 CSU NCU
% In-State 97% 58%
% Out-of-State 2% 35%

Campus

 CSU NCU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • California State University Chico is larger than than NCU based on total student enrollment (14,183 students vs. 699 students)

CSU vs. NCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU or NCU?

  • Northwest Christian University is 474.7% more expensive to attend than CSU for in-state tuition ($33,000.00 vs. $5,742.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 87.3% higher at NCU than California State University Chico ($33,000.00 vs. $17,622.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at California State University Chico than NCU ($15,517 vs. $23,787)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwest Christian University are 45.2% lower than costs at California State University Chico ($10,480 vs. $15,212)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northwest Christian University than California State University Chico (99% vs. 62%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northwest Christian University students is 125.3% larger than aid received California State University Chico ($20,642 vs. $9,162)

CSU vs. NCU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU or NCU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between NCU or CSU .

  • The average SAT score at California State University Chico (1003) is 11 points higher than at NCU (992)
  • Incoming CSU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at NCU (21)
  • Accepted freshman NCU students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at CSU (3.37)
  • CSU has a higher acceptance rate (95%) than NCU (66.8%)

CSU vs. NCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, CSU or NCU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between NCU and CSU.

  • The graduation rate at NCU is higher than California State University Chico (100% vs. 59%)
  • Graduates from California State University Chico earn on average $6,500 more per year than NCU graduates after ten years. ($52,400 vs. $45,900)
  • California State University Chico students graduate with a $6,731 lower median federal student loan debt than NCU graduates. ($17,000 vs. $23,731)
  • CSU graduates are paying $70 less per month on federal student loans than NCU graduates. ($175 vs. $245)
  • More CSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NCU students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 56%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/