CSU vs. Mount Saint Mary's University

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Chico in Chico, CA with Mount Saint Mary's University in Los Angeles, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Chico is larger than Mount Saint Mary's University based on total student enrollment (15,257 students vs. 2,312 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Chico is located in Chico, CA (Small City setting); Mount Saint Mary's University is in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting).
• California State University Chico is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Mount Saint Mary's University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Chico 23:1; Mount Saint Mary's University 8:1.

CSU vs. Mount Saint Mary's University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU or Mount Saint Mary's 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 Mount Saint Mary's University ($14,630 vs. $27,368).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mount Saint Mary's University are 6% lower than at California State University Chico ($15,518 vs. $16,500).
• Mount Saint Mary's University is 485% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU (about $41,092 more per year; $49,564.00 vs. $8,472.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 135.2% higher at Mount Saint Mary's University than at California State University Chico (about $28,492 more per year; $49,564.00 vs. $21,072.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mount Saint Mary's University than at California State University Chico (100% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mount Saint Mary's University students is 240.8% larger than aid received by California State University Chico students ($39,218 vs. $11,509).

CSU vs. Mount Saint Mary's University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU or Mount Saint Mary's 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 Mount Saint Mary's University and CSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California State University Chico (1070) is 60 points higher than at Mount Saint Mary's University (1010).
• Incoming CSU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 20 at Mount Saint Mary's University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Chico 970/1170; Mount Saint Mary's University 900/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Chico 18/24; Mount Saint Mary's University 18/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU - Test-free; Mount Saint Mary's University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Dec 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Mount Saint Mary's University students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at CSU (3.37).
• CSU has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than Mount Saint Mary's University (73.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.2% at CSU vs. 12% at Mount Saint Mary's University.

CSU vs. Mount Saint Mary's University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU and Mount Saint Mary's 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 Mount Saint Mary's University's (47%).
• Graduates from Mount Saint Mary's University earn a median of about $6,600 more per year than CSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,000 vs. $52,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Chico graduates have a $8,000 lower median loan debt than Mount Saint Mary's University graduates ($17,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, CSU graduates have an estimated $83 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mount Saint Mary's University graduates ($175 vs. $258).
• More CSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mount Saint Mary's University students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 59%)

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.