CSU vs. La Sierra University

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Chico in Chico, CA with La Sierra University in Riverside, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Chico is larger than La Sierra University based on total student enrollment (15,257 students vs. 1,574 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Chico is located in Chico, CA (Small City setting); La Sierra University is in Riverside, CA (Large City setting).
• California State University Chico is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. La Sierra University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Chico 23:1; La Sierra University 12:1.

CSU vs. La Sierra University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU or La Sierra 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 La Sierra University ($14,630 vs. $23,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at La Sierra University are 18.6% lower than at California State University Chico ($13,431 vs. $16,500).
• La Sierra University is 345.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU (about $29,238 more per year; $37,710.00 vs. $8,472.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 79% higher at La Sierra University than at California State University Chico (about $16,638 more per year; $37,710.00 vs. $21,072.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at La Sierra University than at California State University Chico (98% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by La Sierra University students is 140.2% larger than aid received by California State University Chico students ($27,646 vs. $11,509).

CSU vs. La Sierra University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU or La Sierra 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 La Sierra University and CSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University Chico (1070) is 60 points higher than at La Sierra University (1010).
• Incoming La Sierra University students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 21 at CSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Chico 970/1170; La Sierra University 880/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Chico 18/24; La Sierra University 18/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU - Test-free; La Sierra University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Dec 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman La Sierra University students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at CSU (3.37).
• CSU has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than La Sierra University (91.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.2% at CSU vs. 13.3% at La Sierra University.

CSU vs. La Sierra University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU and La Sierra 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).

• California State University Chico's six-year graduation rate (59%) is higher than La Sierra University's (32%).
• Graduates from California State University Chico earn a median of about $500 more per year than La Sierra University graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,400 vs. $51,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Chico graduates have a $13,000 lower median loan debt than La Sierra University graduates ($17,000 vs. $30,000).
• Among borrowers, CSU graduates have an estimated $135 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than La Sierra University graduates ($175 vs. $310).
• More CSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former La Sierra University students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 52%)

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.