California Baptist University vs. CSU

Comparable Facts

Compare California Baptist University in Riverside, CA with California State University Chico in Chico, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Chico is larger than California Baptist University based on total student enrollment (15,257 students vs. 11,902 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Baptist University is located in Riverside, CA (Large City setting); California State University Chico is in Chico, CA (Small City setting).
• California Baptist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. California State University Chico is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Baptist University 21:1; California State University Chico 23:1.

California Baptist University vs. CSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California Baptist University or CSU? 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 California State University Chico than California Baptist University ($14,630 vs. $27,862).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California Baptist University are 26.4% lower than at California State University Chico ($12,140 vs. $16,500).
• California Baptist University is 386.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU (about $32,756 more per year; $41,228.00 vs. $8,472.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 95.7% higher at California Baptist University than at California State University Chico (about $20,156 more per year; $41,228.00 vs. $21,072.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California Baptist University than at California State University Chico (99% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Baptist University students is 132.4% larger than aid received by California State University Chico students ($26,743 vs. $11,509).

California Baptist University vs. CSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, California Baptist University or CSU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between CSU and California Baptist University.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at California State University Chico (1070) is 10 points higher than at California Baptist University (1060).
• Incoming California Baptist University students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 21) as students at CSU (21).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: California Baptist University 960/1150; California State University Chico 970/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: California Baptist University 18/25; California State University Chico 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California Baptist University - Test-free; CSU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Dec 15, 2026.
• Enrolled freshman California Baptist University students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.58) than students at CSU (3.37).
• CSU has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than California Baptist University (84.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.8% at California Baptist University vs. 10.2% at CSU.

California Baptist University vs. CSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California Baptist University and CSU? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• California State University Chico's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than California Baptist University's (55%).
• Graduates from California State University Chico earn a median of about $7,300 more per year than California Baptist University graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,400 vs. $45,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Chico graduates have a $10,000 lower median loan debt than California Baptist University graduates ($17,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, CSU graduates have an estimated $104 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California Baptist University graduates ($175 vs. $279).
• More CSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California Baptist University students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 58%)

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.