CSU vs. John Paul the Great Catholic University

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Chico in Chico, CA with John Paul the Great Catholic University in Escondido, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Chico is larger than John Paul the Great Catholic University based on total student enrollment (15,257 students vs. 286 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Chico is located in Chico, CA (Small City setting); John Paul the Great Catholic University is in Escondido, CA (Large City setting).
• California State University Chico is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. John Paul the Great Catholic University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Chico 23:1; John Paul the Great Catholic University 15:1.

CSU vs. John Paul the Great Catholic University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU or John Paul the Great Catholic University? 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 John Paul the Great Catholic University ($14,630 vs. $35,175).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at John Paul the Great Catholic University are 40.2% lower than at California State University Chico ($9,868 vs. $16,500).
• John Paul the Great Catholic University is 257.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU (about $21,793 more per year; $30,265.00 vs. $8,472.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 43.6% higher at John Paul the Great Catholic University than at California State University Chico (about $9,193 more per year; $30,265.00 vs. $21,072.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at John Paul the Great Catholic University than at California State University Chico (100% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by John Paul the Great Catholic University students is 47.6% larger than aid received by California State University Chico students ($16,982 vs. $11,509).

CSU vs. John Paul the Great Catholic University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU or John Paul the Great Catholic University? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between John Paul the Great Catholic University and CSU.

• John Paul the Great Catholic University reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at John Paul the Great Catholic University (1120) is 50 points higher than at CSU (1070).
• Incoming John Paul the Great Catholic University students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (24 vs. 21 at CSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: California State University Chico 970/1170; John Paul the Great Catholic University 975/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: California State University Chico 18/24; John Paul the Great Catholic University 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU - Test-free; John Paul the Great Catholic University - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Dec 15, 2026.
• Enrolled freshman John Paul the Great Catholic University students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at CSU (3.37).
• CSU has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than John Paul the Great Catholic University (79.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.2% at CSU vs. 43% at John Paul the Great Catholic University.

CSU vs. John Paul the Great Catholic University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU and John Paul the Great Catholic University? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• California State University Chico's six-year graduation rate is 59%. Comparable graduation rate data is not available for John Paul the Great Catholic University.
• Graduates from California State University Chico have median earnings of about $52,400 about ten years after starting college (College Scorecard). Comparable earnings data is not available for John Paul the Great Catholic University.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Chico graduates have a $8,750 lower median loan debt than John Paul the Great Catholic University graduates ($17,000 vs. $25,750).
• Among borrowers, CSU graduates have an estimated $91 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than John Paul the Great Catholic University graduates ($175 vs. $266).

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.