CSU vs. Salem State University

California State University Chico and Salem State University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

California State University Chico
Salem State University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: CSU (92.7% admitted vs 95.9%). Typical SAT 1070 vs 1080.
  • Cheaper after aid: CSU. Average net price is $14,630 vs $17,541 at Salem State University.
  • Graduation: CSU 59% vs Salem State University 42%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: CSU $52,400 vs Salem State University $44,400 (median).
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Key differences

California State University Chico Salem State University
Acceptance rate
CSU more selective
CSU92.7%
Salem State University95.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
CSU higher
CSU970-1170
Salem State University990-1160
Average net price
CSU $2,911 less
CSU$14,630
Salem State University$17,541
In-state tuition
CSU $3,866 less
CSU$8,472
Salem State University$12,338
Out-of-state tuition
Salem State University $1,541 less
CSU$21,072
Salem State University$19,531
Graduation rate
CSU +17 pts
CSU59%
Salem State University42%
Median earnings (10 years)
CSU +$8,000
CSU$52,400
Salem State University$44,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • CSU 23,322
  • Salem State University 7,953
  • Admitted
  • CSU 21,623
  • Salem State University 7,625
  • Acceptance rate
  • CSU 92.7%
  • Salem State University 95.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • CSU 10.2%
  • Salem State University 11.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • CSU 1070
  • Salem State University 1080
  • Typical ACT score
  • CSU 21
  • Salem State University
  • Average high school GPA
  • CSU 3.37
  • Salem State University 3.17
  • Typical high school grades
  • CSU B+
  • Salem State University B+
  • Admissions standards
  • CSU Very Easy
  • Salem State University Very Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • CSU
  • Salem State University
  • SAT range
  • CSU 970-1170
  • Salem State University 990-1160
  • ACT range
  • CSU 18-24
  • Salem State University
  • Submit test scores
  • CSU Test-free
  • Salem State University Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • CSU Dec 15, 2026
  • Salem State University Jun 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • CSU $8,472
  • Salem State University $12,338
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • CSU $21,072
  • Salem State University $19,531
  • Room & board
  • CSU $16,500
  • Salem State University $16,838
  • Average net price
  • CSU $14,630
  • Salem State University $17,541
  • Average grant aid
  • CSU $11,509
  • Salem State University $10,319
  • % receiving grant aid
  • CSU 66%
  • Salem State University 98%
  • Graduation rate
  • CSU 59%
  • Salem State University 42%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • CSU $52,400
  • Salem State University $44,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • CSU 70%
  • Salem State University 63%
  • Median student loan debt
  • CSU $17,000
  • Salem State University $24,000
  • Median loan payment
  • CSU $175
  • Salem State University $248
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • CSU 23:1
  • Salem State University 12:1
  • Popular majors
  • CSU
    • Business (17%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
  • Salem State University
    • Business (23%)
    • Health Professions (17%)
    • Education (9%)
    • Psychology (7%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
  • Location
  • CSU Chico, CA
  • Salem State University Salem, MA
  • Setting
  • CSU Small City
  • Salem State University Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • CSU 15,257
  • Salem State University 6,230
  • Type
  • CSU Public 4 Year
  • Salem State University Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • CSU #675
  • Salem State University #779

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Chico in Chico, CA with Salem State University in Salem, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

California State University Chico is larger than Salem State University based on total student enrollment (15,257 students vs. 6,230 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Chico are 2% lower than at Salem State University ($16,500 vs. $16,838).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 7.9% higher at CSU than at Salem State University (about $1,541 more per year; $21,072 vs. $19,531).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Salem State University than at California State University Chico (98% vs. 66%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Chico students is 11.5% larger than aid received by Salem State University students ($11,509 vs. $10,319).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both CSU and Salem State University.
  • Typical fall application deadline: CSU Dec 15, 2026; Salem State University Jun 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at CSU average a 3.37 high school GPA, 0.2 higher than at Salem State University (3.17).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.2% at CSU vs. 11.3% at Salem State University.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Chico graduates have a $7,000 lower median loan debt than Salem State University graduates ($17,000 vs. $24,000).
  • Among borrowers, CSU graduates have an estimated $73 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Salem State University graduates ($175 vs. $248).
  • More CSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Salem State University students, three years after graduation (70% vs. 63%).

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

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