Overview
Enrollment
Chicago State University occupies a 161-acre campus on Chicago's South Side, located approximately 12 miles from downtown in the Roseland neighborhood. Founded in 1867 as a teacher training school, CSU evolved into a comprehensive public university and serves as the oldest public university in the Chicago metropolitan area. The university offers undergraduate and graduate programs across its colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business, Education, Health Sciences, and Pharmacy, with particular emphasis on nursing, education, and pharmaceutical sciences. The urban campus features modern academic buildings and residence halls that accommodate a primarily commuter student population. As a member of the Western Athletic Conference, CSU's Cougars compete in NCAA Division I athletics, though the university maintains its primary focus on academic programs and community engagement.
Chicago State University is designated as a Predominantly Black Institution (PBI) and receives federal grants supporting the school's efforts to serve low and middle-income Black Americans.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
CSU is rated within the lower 37% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 4 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Chicago State University within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#849 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#322 in Best Public Colleges in the U.S.
#41 in Best Colleges in Illinois
#11 in Best Public Colleges in Illinois
#39 in Best Value Colleges in Illinois
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 750/963 |
| ACT | 15/19 |
| GPA | 3.18 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | - |
| Applicant Competition | Average |
| Application Fee | $0 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $2,400 |
| Other Fees | $4,714 |
| Room and Board | $11,550 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $5,000 |
| Total One Year Cost | $31,704 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Humanities | 31% |
| Business | 13% |
| Psychology | 13% |
| Health Professions | 9% |
| Education | 7% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering CSU are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=144005 IPEDS survey data for Chicago State University.
Current students may use the Chicago State University GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025