Add a college to compare up to four schools
Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison.
Sacramento State San Francisco State Humboldt State University San Jose State UC Merced Cal State Fullerton Sonoma State University California State University-Fresno SHSU Tarleton Cal State East Bay UC Davis| California State University Chico | Stephen F Austin State University | College 3 | College 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
|||
| Remove | Remove | +Add | +Add | |
Overview |
CSU | SFASU | ||
| Location | Chico, CA | Nacogdoches, TX | ||
| Setting | Small City | Rural Fringe | ||
| Enrollment | 14,523 | 10,888 | ||
| Type | Public 4 Year | Public 4 Year | ||
| National Ranking | #660 | #823 | ||
| Religious Affiliation | - | - | - | - |
| Status | Non-profit | Non-profit | ||
| Website | csuchico.edu | sfasu.edu | ||
| Team Colors |
Costs |
CSU | SFASU | ||
| Tuition (In State) | $5,742 | $7,842 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Out of State) | $17,622 | $17,922 | ||
| Room & Board | $16,020 | $11,142 | ||
| Avg Net Price | $15,187 | $15,498 | ||
| Avg Grant Aid | $10,331 | $8,695 | ||
| % Receiving Grant Aid | 65% | 80% |
Admission |
CSU | SFASU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Chances | Calculate | Calculate | ||
| Applied | 22,263 | 12,591 | ||
| Admitted | 20,864 | 11,112 | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 93.7% | 88.3% | ||
| Enrolled % | 10.4% | 18.6% | ||
| Avg High School GPA | 3.37 | 3.26 | ||
| Typical High School Grades | B+ | B | ||
| Admissions Standards | Very Easy | Easy | ||
| Applicant Competition | ||||
| ACT Range | 18/24 | 18/25 | ||
| SAT Range | 970/1170 | 980/1160 | ||
| Submit Test Scores | Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) | ||
| Application Deadline | Dec 15, 2025 |
Academics |
CSU | SFASU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student to Faculty Ratio | 20:1 | 15:1 | ||
| Popular Majors |
|
|
||
Outcomes |
CSU | SFASU | ||
| Graduation Rate | 59% | 44% | ||
| Median Earnings (After 10 years) | $52,400 | $44,600 | ||
| Making Student Loan Payments | 70% | 52% | ||
| Median Student Loan Debt | $17,000 | $25,000 | ||
| Median Loan Payment | $175 | $258 |
Diversity |
CSU | SFASU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % Men | 3% | 4% | ||
| % Women | 6% | 8% | ||
| Racial Diversity | Very High | High | ||
| HBCU | No | No | ||
| % White | 46% | 57% | ||
| % Black | 2% | 20% | ||
| % Hispanic | 29% | 16% | ||
| % Native American | 1% | 0% | ||
| % Pacific Islander | 0% | 0% | ||
| % Two or More Races | 5% | 3% | ||
| % International | 3% | 1% | ||
| % Unknown Race | 7% | 1% |
Students |
CSU | SFASU | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % In-State | 97% | 98% | ||
| % Out-of-State | 2% | 1% | ||
Campus |
CSU | SFASU | ||
| Campus Housing | Yes | Yes | ||
| Freshman Dorm Required | No | No | ||
| Meal Plan | Yes | Yes | ||
| Weekend/Evening Classes | No | No | ||
| Daycare Facility | Yes | No | ||
| Learn More | Details | Details |
Comparable Facts
- California State University Chico is larger than than SFASU based on total student enrollment (14,523 students vs. 10,888 students)
CSU vs. SFASU Cost Comparison
Which college is more expensive, CSU or SFASU?
- Stephen F Austin State University is 36.6% more expensive to attend than CSU for in-state tuition ($7,842.00 vs. $5,742.00)
- Out of state tuition is 1.7% higher at SFASU than California State University Chico ($17,922.00 vs. $17,622.00)
- The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at California State University Chico than SFASU ($15,187 vs. $15,498)
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Stephen F Austin State University are 43.8% lower than costs at California State University Chico ($11,142 vs. $16,020)
- More students receive financial grant aid at Stephen F Austin State University than California State University Chico (80% vs. 65%)
- The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Chico students is 18.8% larger than aid received Stephen F Austin State University ($10,331 vs. $8,695)
CSU vs. SFASU Admissions Difficulty Comparison
Which college is harder to get into, CSU or SFASU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between SFASU or CSU .
- The average SAT score at California State University Chico (1003) is 2 points higher than at SFASU (1001)
- Incoming CSU students have at the same average ACT score (22) as students at SFASU (22)
- Accepted freshman CSU students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.37) than students at SFASU (3.26)
- CSU has a higher acceptance rate (93.7%) than SFASU (88.3%)
CSU vs. SFASU Graduation Outcomes Comparison
Which is better, CSU or SFASU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between SFASU and CSU.
- The graduation rate at CSU is higher than Stephen F Austin State University (59% vs. 44%)
- Graduates from California State University Chico earn on average $7,800 more per year than SFASU graduates after ten years. ($52,400 vs. $44,600)
- California State University Chico students graduate with a $8,000 lower median federal student loan debt than SFASU graduates. ($17,000 vs. $25,000)
- CSU graduates are paying $83 less per month on federal student loans than SFASU graduates. ($175 vs. $258)
- More CSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SFASU 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/