CSU vs. San Jose State

Comparable Facts

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

San Jose State University is larger than CSU based on total student enrollment (37,661 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 Jose State University is in San Jose, CA (Large City setting).
• California State University Chico is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. San Jose State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Chico 23:1; San Jose State University 25:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Chico are 21.3% lower than at San Jose State University ($16,500 vs. $20,971).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.3% higher at CSU than at San Jose State University (about $62 more per year; $21,072 vs. $21,010).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Chico than at San Jose State University (66% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Jose State University students is 7.3% larger than aid received by California State University Chico students ($12,353 vs. $11,509).

Admissions details

• Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at San Jose State than at CSU (22 vs. 21, midpoint estimate).
• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both CSU and San Jose State.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Dec 15, 2026; San Jose State Dec 15, 2026.
• Enrolled first-year students at CSU average a 3.37 high school GPA, 0.02 higher than at San Jose State (3.35).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.2% at CSU vs. 14.7% at San Jose State.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Jose State University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than CSU graduates ($15,000 vs. $17,000).
• Among borrowers, San Jose State graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU graduates ($155 vs. $175).
• More San Jose State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU students, three years after graduation (73% vs. 70%).

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