CSU vs. WestConn

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Chico in Chico, CA with Western Connecticut State University in Danbury, CT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Chico is larger than WestConn based on total student enrollment (15,257 students vs. 4,169 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Chico is located in Chico, CA (Small City setting); Western Connecticut State University is in Danbury, CT (Small City setting).
• California State University Chico is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Connecticut State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Chico 23:1; Western Connecticut State University 11:1.

CSU vs. WestConn Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU or WestConn? 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 WestConn ($14,630 vs. $17,185).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Connecticut State University are 5.1% lower than at California State University Chico ($15,659 vs. $16,500).
• Western Connecticut State University is 58.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU (about $4,929 more per year; $13,401.00 vs. $8,472.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 24.7% higher at CSU than at Western Connecticut State University (about $4,171 more per year; $21,072.00 vs. $16,901.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Western Connecticut State University than at California State University Chico (86% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Connecticut State University students is 11.8% larger than aid received by California State University Chico students ($12,870 vs. $11,509).

CSU vs. WestConn Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU or WestConn? 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 WestConn and CSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Connecticut State University (1110) is 40 points higher than at CSU (1070).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Chico 970/1170; Western Connecticut State University 1040/1170.
• 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; WestConn - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Dec 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman WestConn students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.38) than students at CSU (3.37).
• CSU has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than WestConn (87%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.2% at CSU vs. 16.7% at WestConn.

CSU vs. WestConn Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU and WestConn? 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 Western Connecticut State University's (40%).
• Graduates from California State University Chico earn a median of about $5,000 more per year than WestConn graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,400 vs. $47,400), 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 WestConn graduates ($17,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, CSU graduates have an estimated $83 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WestConn graduates ($175 vs. $258).
• More CSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WestConn students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 65%)

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.