CSU vs. CSU Channel Islands

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Chico is larger than CSU Channel Islands based on total student enrollment (15,257 students vs. 5,592 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Chico is located in Chico, CA (Small City setting); California State University Channel Islands is in Camarillo, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• California State University Chico is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. California State University Channel Islands is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Chico 23:1; California State University Channel Islands 16:1.

CSU vs. CSU Channel Islands Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU or CSU Channel Islands? 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 Channel Islands than CSU ($10,632 vs. $14,630).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Channel Islands are 6.1% lower than at California State University Chico ($15,490 vs. $16,500).
• California State University Chico is 18.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU Channel Islands (about $1,313 more per year; $8,472.00 vs. $7,159.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.6% higher at CSU than at California State University Channel Islands (about $1,313 more per year; $21,072.00 vs. $19,759.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Channel Islands than at California State University Chico (79% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Channel Islands students is 8.9% larger than aid received by California State University Chico students ($12,528 vs. $11,509).

CSU vs. CSU Channel Islands Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU or CSU Channel Islands? 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 CSU Channel Islands and CSU.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Chico 970/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Chico 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU - Test-free; CSU Channel Islands - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Dec 15, 2026; CSU Channel Islands Jul 30, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CSU students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.37) than students at CSU Channel Islands (3.22).
• CSU Channel Islands has a higher acceptance rate (94.8%) than CSU (92.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.2% at CSU vs. 6.2% at CSU Channel Islands.

CSU vs. CSU Channel Islands Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU and CSU Channel Islands? 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).

• California State University Chico's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than California State University Channel Islands's (54%).
• Graduates from California State University Chico earn a median of about $6,300 more per year than CSU Channel Islands graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,400 vs. $46,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Channel Islands graduates have a $1,817 lower median loan debt than CSU graduates ($15,183 vs. $17,000).
• Among borrowers, CSU Channel Islands graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU graduates ($156 vs. $175).
• More CSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU Channel Islands students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 66%)

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.