CSU vs. IU Southeast

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Chico in Chico, CA with Indiana University Southeast in New Albany, IN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Chico is larger than IU Southeast based on total student enrollment (15,257 students vs. 3,736 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Chico is located in Chico, CA (Small City setting); Indiana University Southeast is in New Albany, IN (Rural Fringe setting).
• California State University Chico is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Indiana University Southeast is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Chico 23:1; Indiana University Southeast 13:1.

CSU vs. IU Southeast Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU or IU Southeast? 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 Indiana University Southeast than CSU ($9,102 vs. $14,630).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Indiana University Southeast are 27.6% lower than at California State University Chico ($11,940 vs. $16,500).
• California State University Chico is 0.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than IU Southeast (about $48 more per year; $8,472.00 vs. $8,424.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.3% higher at IU Southeast than at California State University Chico (about $1,739 more per year; $22,811.00 vs. $21,072.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Indiana University Southeast than at California State University Chico (84% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Chico students is 56.6% larger than aid received by Indiana University Southeast students ($11,509 vs. $7,347).

CSU vs. IU Southeast Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Indiana University Southeast (1080) is 10 points higher than at CSU (1070).
• Incoming IU Southeast students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at CSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Chico 970/1170; Indiana University Southeast 970/1180.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Chico 18/24; Indiana University Southeast 20/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU - Test-free; IU Southeast - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Dec 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman CSU students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.37) than students at IU Southeast (3.31).
• CSU has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than IU Southeast (84.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.2% at CSU vs. 39.7% at IU Southeast.

CSU vs. IU Southeast Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU and IU Southeast? 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 Indiana University Southeast's (27%).
• Graduates from California State University Chico earn a median of about $14,100 more per year than IU Southeast graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,400 vs. $38,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Chico graduates have a $3,261 lower median loan debt than IU Southeast graduates ($17,000 vs. $20,261).
• Among borrowers, CSU graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IU Southeast graduates ($175 vs. $209).
• More CSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IU Southeast students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 47%)

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.