CSU vs. DUofC

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Chico in Chico, CA with Dominican University of California in San Rafael, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Chico is larger than DUofC based on total student enrollment (15,257 students vs. 1,900 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

CSU vs. DUofC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU or DUofC? 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 DUofC ($14,630 vs. $37,456).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dominican University of California are 1.9% lower than at California State University Chico ($16,191 vs. $16,500).
• Dominican University of California is 515.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU (about $43,689 more per year; $52,161.00 vs. $8,472.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 147.5% higher at DUofC than at California State University Chico (about $31,089 more per year; $52,161.00 vs. $21,072.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dominican University of California than at California State University Chico (100% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dominican University of California students is 197.4% larger than aid received by California State University Chico students ($34,224 vs. $11,509).

CSU vs. DUofC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Dominican University of California (1260) is 190 points higher than at CSU (1070).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Chico 970/1170; Dominican University of California 1210/1300.
• 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; DUofC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Dec 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman DUofC students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at CSU (3.37).
• CSU has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than DUofC (83.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.2% at CSU vs. 12.7% at DUofC.

CSU vs. DUofC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU and DUofC? 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 Dominican University of California's (56%).
• Graduates from Dominican University of California earn a median of about $6,000 more per year than CSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,400 vs. $52,400), 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 DUofC graduates ($17,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, CSU graduates have an estimated $104 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than DUofC graduates ($175 vs. $279).
• More DUofC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 70%)

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.