CSU vs. SUNO

Comparable Facts

Compare Chicago State University in Chicago, IL with Southern University at New Orleans in New Orleans, LA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Southern University at New Orleans is larger than CSU based on total student enrollment (2,468 students vs. 2,238 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Chicago State University is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Southern University at New Orleans is in New Orleans, LA (Large City setting).
• Chicago State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern University at New Orleans is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Chicago State University 9:1; Southern University at New Orleans 13:1.

CSU vs. SUNO Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU or SUNO? 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 SUNO ($10,441 vs. $14,480).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern University at New Orleans are 1.8% lower than at Chicago State University ($11,337 vs. $11,550).
• Chicago State University is 58.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNO (about $4,700 more per year; $12,754.00 vs. $8,054.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 32.9% higher at SUNO than at Chicago State University (about $4,200 more per year; $16,954.00 vs. $12,754.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Chicago State University than at Southern University at New Orleans (99% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Chicago State University students is 62% larger than aid received by Southern University at New Orleans students ($18,194 vs. $11,231).

CSU vs. SUNO Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Southern University at New Orleans (940) is 80 points higher than at CSU (860).
• Incoming CSU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 17) as students at SUNO (17).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chicago State University 750/963; Southern University at New Orleans 820/1050.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chicago State University 15/19; Southern University at New Orleans 15/20.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU - Test-free; SUNO - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: SUNO Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman CSU students have a 0.78 point higher average high school GPA (3.18) than students at SUNO (2.4).
• SUNO has a higher acceptance rate (78.9%) than CSU (43.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 3.8% at CSU vs. 3.2% at SUNO.

CSU vs. SUNO Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU and SUNO? 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).

• Graduates from Chicago State University earn a median of about $6,700 more per year than SUNO graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,300 vs. $31,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southern University at New Orleans graduates have a $6,902 lower median loan debt than CSU graduates ($24,348 vs. $31,250).
• Among borrowers, SUNO graduates have an estimated $72 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU graduates ($251 vs. $323).
• More CSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SUNO students, three years after graduation. (25% vs. 22%)

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.