CSU vs. Marian

Comparable Facts

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

Marian University is larger than CSU based on total student enrollment (3,486 students vs. 2,238 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Chicago State University is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Marian University is in Indianapolis, IN (Large City setting).
• Chicago State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Marian University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Chicago State University 9:1; Marian University 13:1.

CSU vs. Marian Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU or Marian? 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 Marian ($10,441 vs. $22,786).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Chicago State University are 16.6% lower than at Marian University ($11,550 vs. $13,850).
• Marian University is 218.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU (about $27,910 more per year; $40,664.00 vs. $12,754.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 218.8% higher at Marian than at Chicago State University (about $27,910 more per year; $40,664.00 vs. $12,754.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Chicago State University than at Marian University (99% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Marian University students is 77.8% larger than aid received by Chicago State University students ($32,351 vs. $18,194).

CSU vs. Marian Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chicago State University 750/963.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chicago State University 15/19.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU - Test-free; Marian - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Marian Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Marian students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.56) than students at CSU (3.18).
• Marian has a higher acceptance rate (95.5%) than CSU (43.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 3.8% at CSU vs. 15.6% at Marian.

CSU vs. Marian Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU and Marian? 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).

• Marian University's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than Chicago State University's (21%).
• Graduates from Marian University earn a median of about $6,500 more per year than CSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,800 vs. $38,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Marian University graduates have a $4,250 lower median loan debt than CSU graduates ($27,000 vs. $31,250).
• Among borrowers, Marian graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU graduates ($279 vs. $323).
• More Marian graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU students, three years after graduation. (57% 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.