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 (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 John Paul the Great Catholic University and CSU.

• John Paul the Great Catholic University reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median 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 (median estimate) (24 vs. 21 at CSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Chico 970/1170; John Paul the Great Catholic University 975/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: 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.
• Accepted 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? 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).

• 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.