CSU vs. IU

Comparable Facts

Compare Chicago State University in Chicago, IL with Indiana University Bloomington in Bloomington, IN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Indiana University Bloomington is larger than CSU based on total student enrollment (48,424 students vs. 2,238 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Chicago State University is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Indiana University Bloomington is in Bloomington, IN (Small City setting).
• Chicago State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Indiana University Bloomington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Chicago State University 9:1; Indiana University Bloomington 18:1.

CSU vs. IU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU or IU? 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 Chicago State University than IU ($10,441 vs. $17,270).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Chicago State University are 17.4% lower than at Indiana University Bloomington ($11,550 vs. $13,984).
• Chicago State University is 5% more expensive for in-state tuition than IU (about $610 more per year; $12,754.00 vs. $12,144.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 228.5% higher at IU than at Chicago State University (about $29,137 more per year; $41,891.00 vs. $12,754.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Chicago State University than at Indiana University Bloomington (99% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Chicago State University students is 73.5% larger than aid received by Indiana University Bloomington students ($18,194 vs. $10,487).

CSU vs. IU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Indiana University Bloomington (1290) is 430 points higher than at CSU (860).
• Incoming IU students have a 13 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 17 at CSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chicago State University 750/963; Indiana University Bloomington 1170/1400.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chicago State University 15/19; Indiana University Bloomington 27/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU - Test-free; IU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman IU students have a 0.56 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at CSU (3.18).
• IU has a higher acceptance rate (78.2%) than CSU (43.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 3.8% at CSU vs. 18.2% at IU.

CSU vs. IU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU and IU? 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).

• Indiana University Bloomington's six-year graduation rate (72%) is higher than Chicago State University's (21%).
• Graduates from Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of about $17,900 more per year than CSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,200 vs. $38,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Indiana University Bloomington graduates have a $8,750 lower median loan debt than CSU graduates ($22,500 vs. $31,250).
• Among borrowers, IU graduates have an estimated $91 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU graduates ($232 vs. $323).
• More IU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 25%)

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.