CSU vs. HIU

Should I go to California State University Chico or Hope International University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if CSU or HIU 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.
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California State University Chico vs. Hope International University comparison
California State University Chico Hope International University College 3 College 4
California State University Chico Hope International University
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Overview

 CSU HIU
Location Chico, CA Fullerton, CA
Setting Small City Midsize City
Enrollment 14,523 1,140
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #660 #935
Religious Affiliation - Christian Churches and Churches of Christ - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website csuchico.edu hiu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 CSU HIU
Tuition (In State) $5,742 $35,000
Tuition (Out of State) $17,622 $35,000
Room & Board $16,020 $13,700
Avg Net Price $15,187 $30,514
Avg Grant Aid $10,331 $21,986
% Receiving Grant Aid 65% 100%

Admission

 CSU HIU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 22,263 828
Admitted 20,864 293
Acceptance Rate 93.7% 35.4%
Enrolled % 10.4% 30%
Avg High School GPA 3.37 3.26
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Very Easy Easy
Applicant Competition High
ACT Range 18/24
SAT Range 970/1170 1000/1180
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 Aug 20, 2026

Academics

 CSU HIU
Student to Faculty Ratio 20:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (17%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (8%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Theology and Religious Vvocations (36%)
  • Work and Family Studies (18%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (6%)

Outcomes

 CSU HIU
Graduation Rate 59% 32%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $52,400 $39,700
Making Student Loan Payments 70% 58%
Median Student Loan Debt $17,000 $26,000
Median Loan Payment $175 $268

Diversity

 CSU HIU
% Men 3% 14%
% Women 6% 37%
Racial Diversity Very High Very High
HBCU No No
% White 46% 42%
% Black 2% 7%
% Hispanic 29% 21%
% Native American 1% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 5% 11%
% International 3% 0%
% Unknown Race 7% 15%

Students

 CSU HIU
% In-State 97% 82%
% Out-of-State 2% 10%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • California State University Chico is larger than than HIU based on total student enrollment (14,523 students vs. 1,140 students)

CSU vs. HIU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU or HIU?

  • Hope International University is 509.5% more expensive to attend than CSU for in-state tuition ($35,000.00 vs. $5,742.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 98.6% higher at HIU than California State University Chico ($35,000.00 vs. $17,622.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at California State University Chico than HIU ($15,187 vs. $30,514)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hope International University are 16.9% lower than costs at California State University Chico ($13,700 vs. $16,020)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Hope International University than California State University Chico (100% vs. 65%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Hope International University students is 112.8% larger than aid received California State University Chico ($21,986 vs. $10,331)

CSU vs. HIU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at California State University Chico (1003) is 93 points higher than at HIU (910)
  • Incoming CSU students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at HIU (19)
  • Accepted freshman CSU students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.37) than students at HIU (3.26)
  • CSU has a higher acceptance rate (93.7%) than HIU (35.4%)

CSU vs. HIU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, CSU or HIU? 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 HIU and CSU.

  • The graduation rate at CSU is higher than Hope International University (59% vs. 32%)
  • Graduates from California State University Chico earn on average $12,700 more per year than HIU graduates after ten years. ($52,400 vs. $39,700)
  • California State University Chico students graduate with a $9,000 lower median federal student loan debt than HIU graduates. ($17,000 vs. $26,000)
  • CSU graduates are paying $93 less per month on federal student loans than HIU graduates. ($175 vs. $268)
  • More CSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former HIU 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/