CSU vs. Saginaw Valley State University

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Chico in Chico, CA with Saginaw Valley State University in University Center, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

California State University Chico is larger than Saginaw Valley State University based on total student enrollment (15,257 students vs. 6,822 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Chico is located in Chico, CA (Small City setting); Saginaw Valley State University is in University Center, MI (Rural Fringe setting).
• California State University Chico is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Saginaw Valley State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Chico 23:1; Saginaw Valley State University 16:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Saginaw Valley State University are 25.2% lower than at California State University Chico ($12,340 vs. $16,500).
• Out-of-state tuition is 44.5% higher at Saginaw Valley State University than at California State University Chico (about $9,378 more per year; $30,450 vs. $21,072).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Saginaw Valley State University than at California State University Chico (98% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saginaw Valley State University students is 17.4% larger than aid received by California State University Chico students ($13,512 vs. $11,509).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Saginaw Valley State University than at CSU (22 vs. 21, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at CSU, test optional at Saginaw Valley State University.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Dec 15, 2026.
• Enrolled first-year students at Saginaw Valley State University average a 3.48 high school GPA, 0.11 higher than at CSU (3.37).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.2% at CSU vs. 16% at Saginaw Valley State University.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Chico graduates have a $10,000 lower median loan debt than Saginaw Valley State University graduates ($17,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, CSU graduates have an estimated $104 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Saginaw Valley State University graduates ($175 vs. $279).
• More CSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Saginaw Valley State University students, three years after graduation (70% vs. 48%).

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