CSU vs. SUNY-Potsdam

Comparable Facts

Compare Chicago State University in Chicago, IL with SUNY College at Potsdam in Potsdam, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

SUNY College at Potsdam is larger than CSU based on total student enrollment (2,832 students vs. 2,238 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Chicago State University is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); SUNY College at Potsdam is in Potsdam, NY (Remote Town setting).
• Chicago State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. SUNY College at Potsdam is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Chicago State University 9:1; SUNY College at Potsdam 11:1.

CSU vs. SUNY-Potsdam Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU or SUNY-Potsdam? 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 SUNY-Potsdam ($10,441 vs. $13,730).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Chicago State University are 24.4% lower than at SUNY College at Potsdam ($11,550 vs. $15,280).
• Chicago State University is 45.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY-Potsdam (about $3,986 more per year; $12,754.00 vs. $8,768.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 46.4% higher at SUNY-Potsdam than at Chicago State University (about $5,924 more per year; $18,678.00 vs. $12,754.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Chicago State University than at SUNY College at Potsdam (99% vs. 93%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Chicago State University students is 63.2% larger than aid received by SUNY College at Potsdam students ($18,194 vs. $11,147).

CSU vs. SUNY-Potsdam Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU or SUNY-Potsdam? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between SUNY-Potsdam and CSU.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Chicago State University 750/963.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Chicago State University 15/19.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU - Test-free; SUNY-Potsdam - Test optional.
• Enrolled freshman SUNY-Potsdam students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at CSU (3.18).
• SUNY-Potsdam has a higher acceptance rate (77.7%) than CSU (43.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 3.8% at CSU vs. 10% at SUNY-Potsdam.

CSU vs. SUNY-Potsdam Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU and SUNY-Potsdam? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• SUNY College at Potsdam's six-year graduation rate (51%) is higher than Chicago State University's (21%).
• Graduates from SUNY College at Potsdam earn a median of about $800 more per year than CSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($39,100 vs. $38,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY College at Potsdam graduates have a $6,250 lower median loan debt than CSU graduates ($25,000 vs. $31,250).
• Among borrowers, SUNY-Potsdam graduates have an estimated $65 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU graduates ($258 vs. $323).
• More SUNY-Potsdam graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU students, three years after graduation. (60% 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.