CSU vs. Pacific Oaks College

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Chico in Chico, CA with Pacific Oaks College in Pasadena, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Chico is larger than Pacific Oaks College based on total student enrollment (15,257 students vs. 1,068 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Chico is located in Chico, CA (Small City setting); Pacific Oaks College is in Pasadena, CA (Midsize City setting).
• California State University Chico is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Pacific Oaks College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Chico 23:1; Pacific Oaks College 11:1.

CSU vs. Pacific Oaks College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU or Pacific Oaks College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Chico are 14% lower than at Pacific Oaks College ($16,500 vs. $19,185).
• Pacific Oaks College is 283.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU (about $24,048 more per year; $32,520.00 vs. $8,472.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 54.3% higher at Pacific Oaks College than at California State University Chico (about $11,448 more per year; $32,520.00 vs. $21,072.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Chico than at Pacific Oaks College (66% vs. 0%).

CSU vs. Pacific Oaks College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU or Pacific Oaks College? 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 Pacific Oaks College and CSU.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Chico 970/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Chico 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU - Test-free; Pacific Oaks College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Dec 15, 2026.
• CSU has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than Pacific Oaks College (34.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.2% at CSU vs. 22.7% at Pacific Oaks College.

CSU vs. Pacific Oaks College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU and Pacific Oaks College? 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).

• Graduates from California State University Chico earn a median of about $10,300 more per year than Pacific Oaks College graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,400 vs. $42,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Chico graduates have a $3,967 lower median loan debt than Pacific Oaks College graduates ($17,000 vs. $20,967).
• Among borrowers, CSU graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pacific Oaks College graduates ($175 vs. $216).
• More CSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pacific Oaks College students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 51%)

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.