CSU vs. Orion Technical College

Comparable Facts

Compare Chicago State University in Chicago, IL with Orion Technical College in Davenport, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Chicago State University is larger than Orion Technical College based on total student enrollment (2,238 students vs. 41 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Chicago State University is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Orion Technical College is in Davenport, IA (Small City setting).
• Chicago State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Orion Technical College is a private, for-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Chicago State University 9:1; Orion Technical College 6:1.

CSU vs. Orion Technical College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU or Orion Technical College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Chicago State University than Orion Technical College ($10,441 vs. $27,001).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Orion Technical College are 5.1% lower than at Chicago State University ($10,956 vs. $11,550).
• Orion Technical College is 22.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU (about $2,846 more per year; $15,600.00 vs. $12,754.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 22.3% higher at Orion Technical College than at Chicago State University (about $2,846 more per year; $15,600.00 vs. $12,754.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Chicago State University than at Orion Technical College (99% vs. 54%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Chicago State University students is 278.9% larger than aid received by Orion Technical College students ($18,194 vs. $4,802).

CSU vs. Orion Technical College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU or Orion Technical College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Orion Technical College and CSU.

• Orion Technical College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chicago State University 750/963.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chicago State University 15/19.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU - Test-free; Orion Technical College - Open admission.

CSU vs. Orion Technical College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU and Orion Technical College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from Orion Technical College earn a median of about $1,200 more per year than CSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,500 vs. $38,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Orion Technical College graduates have a $21,750 lower median loan debt than CSU graduates ($9,500 vs. $31,250).
• Among borrowers, Orion Technical College graduates have an estimated $225 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU graduates ($98 vs. $323).
• More Orion Technical College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU students, three years after graduation. (33% vs. 25%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.