CSU vs. Design Institute of San Diego

California State University Chico and Design Institute of San Diego side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

California State University Chico
Design Institute of San Diego

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: CSU (92.7% admitted vs 100%). Typical SAT 1070 vs N/A.
  • Cheaper after aid: CSU. Average net price is $14,630 vs $44,010 at Design Institute of San Diego.
  • Graduation: CSU 59% vs Design Institute of San Diego 62%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: CSU $52,400 vs Design Institute of San Diego $38,900 (median).
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Key differences

California State University Chico Design Institute of San Diego
Acceptance rate
CSU more selective
CSU92.7%
Design Institute of San Diego100%
SAT range (middle 50%)
CSU higher
CSU970-1170
Design Institute of San Diego-
Average net price
CSU $29,380 less
CSU$14,630
Design Institute of San Diego$44,010
In-state tuition
CSU $20,828 less
CSU$8,472
Design Institute of San Diego$29,300
Out-of-state tuition
CSU $8,228 less
CSU$21,072
Design Institute of San Diego$29,300
Graduation rate
Design Institute of San Diego +3 pts
CSU59%
Design Institute of San Diego62%
Median earnings (10 years)
CSU +$13,500
CSU$52,400
Design Institute of San Diego$38,900

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • CSU 23,322
  • Design Institute of San Diego 7
  • Admitted
  • CSU 21,623
  • Design Institute of San Diego 7
  • Acceptance rate
  • CSU 92.7%
  • Design Institute of San Diego 100% Open
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • CSU 10.2%
  • Design Institute of San Diego 28.6% Open
  • Typical SAT score
  • CSU 1070
  • Design Institute of San Diego
  • Typical ACT score
  • CSU 21
  • Design Institute of San Diego
  • Average high school GPA
  • CSU 3.37
  • Design Institute of San Diego -
  • Typical high school grades
  • CSU B+
  • Design Institute of San Diego -
  • Admissions standards
  • CSU Very Easy
  • Design Institute of San Diego Unavailable
  • Applicant competition
  • CSU
  • Design Institute of San Diego
  • SAT range
  • CSU 970-1170
  • Design Institute of San Diego
  • ACT range
  • CSU 18-24
  • Design Institute of San Diego
  • Submit test scores
  • CSU Test-free
  • Design Institute of San Diego Open admission
  • Application deadline
  • CSU Dec 15, 2026
  • Design Institute of San Diego
  • Tuition (in state)
  • CSU $8,472
  • Design Institute of San Diego $29,300
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • CSU $21,072
  • Design Institute of San Diego $29,300
  • Room & board
  • CSU $16,500
  • Design Institute of San Diego $22,086
  • Average net price
  • CSU $14,630
  • Design Institute of San Diego $44,010
  • Average grant aid
  • CSU $11,509
  • Design Institute of San Diego $11,901
  • % receiving grant aid
  • CSU 66%
  • Design Institute of San Diego 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • CSU 59%
  • Design Institute of San Diego 62%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • CSU $52,400
  • Design Institute of San Diego $38,900
  • Making student loan payments
  • CSU 70%
  • Design Institute of San Diego 68%
  • Median student loan debt
  • CSU $17,000
  • Design Institute of San Diego $40,585
  • Median loan payment
  • CSU $175
  • Design Institute of San Diego $419
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • CSU 23:1
  • Design Institute of San Diego 8:1
  • Popular majors
  • CSU
    • Business (17%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
  • Design Institute of San Diego
    • Visual and Performing Arts (100%)
  • Location
  • CSU Chico, CA
  • Design Institute of San Diego San Diego, CA
  • Setting
  • CSU Small City
  • Design Institute of San Diego Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • CSU 15,257
  • Design Institute of San Diego 94
  • Type
  • CSU Public 4 Year
  • Design Institute of San Diego Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • CSU #675
  • Design Institute of San Diego

Comparable Facts

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

California State University Chico is larger than Design Institute of San Diego based on total student enrollment (15,257 students vs. 94 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • California State University Chico is located in Chico, CA (Small City setting); Design Institute of San Diego is in San Diego, CA (Large City setting).
  • California State University Chico is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Design Institute of San Diego is a private, for-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Chico 23:1; Design Institute of San Diego 8:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Chico are 25.3% lower than at Design Institute of San Diego ($16,500 vs. $22,086).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 39% higher at Design Institute of San Diego than at California State University Chico (about $8,228 more per year; $29,300 vs. $21,072).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Design Institute of San Diego than at California State University Chico (100% vs. 66%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Design Institute of San Diego students is 3.4% larger than aid received by California State University Chico students ($11,901 vs. $11,509).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at CSU, open admission at Design Institute of San Diego.
  • Typical fall application deadline: CSU Dec 15, 2026.
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.2% at CSU vs. 28.6% at Design Institute of San Diego.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Chico graduates have a $23,585 lower median loan debt than Design Institute of San Diego graduates ($17,000 vs. $40,585).
  • Among borrowers, CSU graduates have an estimated $244 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Design Institute of San Diego graduates ($175 vs. $419).
  • More CSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Design Institute of San Diego students, three years after graduation (70% vs. 68%).

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

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