CSU vs. SCI-Arc

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Chico in Chico, CA with Southern California Institute of Architecture in Los Angeles, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Chico is larger than SCI-Arc based on total student enrollment (15,257 students vs. 418 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Chico is located in Chico, CA (Small City setting); Southern California Institute of Architecture is in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting).
• California State University Chico is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern California Institute of Architecture is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Chico 23:1; Southern California Institute of Architecture 9:1.

CSU vs. SCI-Arc Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU or SCI-Arc? 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 SCI-Arc ($14,630 vs. $28,985).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern California Institute of Architecture are 17.6% lower than at California State University Chico ($13,600 vs. $16,500).
• Southern California Institute of Architecture is 562.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU (about $47,690 more per year; $56,162.00 vs. $8,472.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 166.5% higher at SCI-Arc than at California State University Chico (about $35,090 more per year; $56,162.00 vs. $21,072.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Chico than at Southern California Institute of Architecture (66% vs. 26%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern California Institute of Architecture students is 270.4% larger than aid received by California State University Chico students ($42,627 vs. $11,509).

CSU vs. SCI-Arc Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU or SCI-Arc? 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 SCI-Arc and CSU.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Southern California Institute of Architecture (1130) is 60 points higher than at CSU (1070).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: California State University Chico 970/1170; Southern California Institute of Architecture 1020/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: California State University Chico 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU - Test-free; SCI-Arc - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Dec 15, 2026; SCI-Arc Jan 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman SCI-Arc students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at CSU (3.37).
• CSU has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than SCI-Arc (76.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.2% at CSU vs. 7% at SCI-Arc.

CSU vs. SCI-Arc Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU and SCI-Arc? 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 (59%) is higher than Southern California Institute of Architecture's (58%).
• Graduates from California State University Chico earn a median of about $6,000 more per year than SCI-Arc graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,400 vs. $46,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Chico graduates have a $25,750 lower median loan debt than SCI-Arc graduates ($17,000 vs. $42,750).
• Among borrowers, CSU graduates have an estimated $267 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SCI-Arc graduates ($175 vs. $442).
• More CSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SCI-Arc students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 62%)

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.