CSU vs. ETSU

Should I go to California State University Chico or East Tennessee State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if CSU or ETSU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Sacramento State San Francisco State Humboldt State University San Jose State UC Merced Cal State Fullerton Sonoma State University California State University-Fresno Cal State East Bay UC Davis Cal Poly San Diego State
California State University Chico vs. East Tennessee State University comparison
California State University Chico East Tennessee State University College 3 College 4
California State University Chico East Tennessee State University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 CSU ETSU
Location Chico, CA Johnson City, TN
Setting Small City Small City
Enrollment 14,523 13,586
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #660 #702
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website csuchico.edu etsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 CSU ETSU
Tuition (In State) $5,742 $7,950
Tuition (Out of State) $17,622 $11,790
Room & Board $16,020 $10,270
Avg Net Price $15,187 $16,033
Avg Grant Aid $10,331 $9,228
% Receiving Grant Aid 65% 85%

Admission

 CSU ETSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 22,263 9,903
Admitted 20,864 8,622
Acceptance Rate 93.7% 87.1%
Enrolled % 10.4% 24.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.37 3.33
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very Easy Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 18/24 19/26
SAT Range 970/1170 950/1170
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Dec 15, 2025

Academics

 CSU ETSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 20:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (17%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Health Professions (20%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
  • Education (6%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (5%)

Outcomes

 CSU ETSU
Graduation Rate 59% 44%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $52,400 $40,000
Making Student Loan Payments 70% 50%
Median Student Loan Debt $17,000 $20,500
Median Loan Payment $175 $211

Diversity

 CSU ETSU
% Men 3% 7%
% Women 6% 14%
Racial Diversity Very High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 46% 82%
% Black 2% 7%
% Hispanic 29% 2%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 3%
% International 3% 3%
% Unknown Race 7% 1%

Students

 CSU ETSU
% In-State 97% 78%
% Out-of-State 2% 20%

Campus

 CSU ETSU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • California State University Chico is larger than than ETSU based on total student enrollment (14,523 students vs. 13,586 students)

CSU vs. ETSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU or ETSU?

  • East Tennessee State University is 38.5% more expensive to attend than CSU for in-state tuition ($7,950.00 vs. $5,742.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 49.5% higher at CSU than East Tennessee State University ($17,622.00 vs. $11,790.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at California State University Chico than ETSU ($15,187 vs. $16,033)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Tennessee State University are 56% lower than costs at California State University Chico ($10,270 vs. $16,020)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at East Tennessee State University than California State University Chico (85% vs. 65%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Chico students is 12% larger than aid received East Tennessee State University ($10,331 vs. $9,228)

CSU vs. ETSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU or ETSU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between ETSU or CSU .

  • The average SAT score at East Tennessee State University (1068) is 65 points higher than at CSU (1003)
  • Incoming ETSU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at CSU (22)
  • Accepted freshman CSU students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.37) than students at ETSU (3.33)
  • CSU has a higher acceptance rate (93.7%) than ETSU (87.1%)

CSU vs. ETSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, CSU or ETSU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between ETSU and CSU.

  • The graduation rate at CSU is higher than East Tennessee State University (59% vs. 44%)
  • Graduates from California State University Chico earn on average $12,400 more per year than ETSU graduates after ten years. ($52,400 vs. $40,000)
  • California State University Chico students graduate with a $3,500 lower median federal student loan debt than ETSU graduates. ($17,000 vs. $20,500)
  • CSU graduates are paying $36 less per month on federal student loans than ETSU graduates. ($175 vs. $211)
  • More CSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ETSU students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 50%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/