CSU vs. San Francisco State

Comparable Facts

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

San Francisco State University is larger than CSU based on total student enrollment (22,563 students vs. 15,257 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Chico are 25.9% lower than at San Francisco State University ($16,500 vs. $22,266).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.5% higher at CSU than at San Francisco State University (about $522 more per year; $21,072 vs. $20,550).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at San Francisco State University than at California State University Chico (77% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Francisco State University students is 12.9% larger than aid received by California State University Chico students ($12,996 vs. $11,509).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at CSU than at San Francisco State (21 vs. 19, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both CSU and San Francisco State.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Dec 15, 2026; San Francisco State Nov 30, 2026.
• Enrolled first-year students at CSU average a 3.37 high school GPA, 0.06 higher than at San Francisco State (3.31).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.2% at CSU vs. 8.6% at San Francisco State.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Chico graduates have a $250 lower median loan debt than San Francisco State graduates ($17,000 vs. $17,250).
• Among borrowers, CSU graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than San Francisco State graduates ($175 vs. $178).
• More CSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former San Francisco State 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.