CSU vs. OC Comets

Comparable Facts

Compare Chicago State University in Chicago, IL with The University of Olivet in Olivet, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Chicago State University is larger than OC Comets based on total student enrollment (2,238 students vs. 979 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Chicago State University is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); The University of Olivet is in Olivet, MI (Distant Rural setting).
• Chicago State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Olivet is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Chicago State University 9:1; The University of Olivet 17:1.

CSU vs. OC Comets Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU or OC Comets? 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 OC Comets ($10,441 vs. $19,362).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Chicago State University are 8.1% lower than at The University of Olivet ($11,550 vs. $12,567).
• The University of Olivet is 167.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU (about $21,314 more per year; $34,068.00 vs. $12,754.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 167.1% higher at OC Comets than at Chicago State University (about $21,314 more per year; $34,068.00 vs. $12,754.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Olivet than at Chicago State University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Olivet students is 53.1% larger than aid received by Chicago State University students ($27,858 vs. $18,194).

CSU vs. OC Comets Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Olivet (1020) is 160 points higher than at CSU (860).
• Incoming OC Comets students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 17 at CSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chicago State University 750/963; The University of Olivet 910/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chicago State University 15/19; The University of Olivet 18/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU - Test-free; OC Comets - Test-free.
• OC Comets has a higher acceptance rate (83.2%) than CSU (43.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 3.8% at CSU vs. 20.4% at OC Comets.

CSU vs. OC Comets Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU and OC Comets? 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).

• The University of Olivet's six-year graduation rate (46%) is higher than Chicago State University's (21%).
• Graduates from The University of Olivet earn a median of about $1,000 more per year than CSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,300 vs. $38,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Olivet graduates have a $4,250 lower median loan debt than CSU graduates ($27,000 vs. $31,250).
• Among borrowers, OC Comets graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU graduates ($279 vs. $323).
• More OC Comets graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU students, three years after graduation. (53% 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.