CSU vs. Parkside

Comparable Facts

Compare Chicago State University in Chicago, IL with University of Wisconsin Parkside in Kenosha, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Wisconsin Parkside is larger than CSU based on total student enrollment (3,925 students vs. 2,238 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Chicago State University is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); University of Wisconsin Parkside is in Kenosha, WI (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Chicago State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Parkside is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Chicago State University 9:1; University of Wisconsin Parkside 20:1.

CSU vs. Parkside Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU or Parkside? 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 University of Wisconsin Parkside than CSU ($10,234 vs. $10,441).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Parkside are 24.2% lower than at Chicago State University ($8,750 vs. $11,550).
• Chicago State University is 54.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Parkside (about $4,484 more per year; $12,754.00 vs. $8,270.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 36.7% higher at Parkside than at Chicago State University (about $4,675 more per year; $17,429.00 vs. $12,754.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Chicago State University than at University of Wisconsin Parkside (99% vs. 56%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Chicago State University students is 139.5% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Parkside students ($18,194 vs. $7,598).

CSU vs. Parkside Admissions comparison

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

• Incoming Parkside 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.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Chicago State University 15/19; University of Wisconsin Parkside 17/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU - Test-free; Parkside - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Parkside students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at CSU (3.18).
• Parkside has a higher acceptance rate (75.4%) than CSU (43.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 3.8% at CSU vs. 26.1% at Parkside.

CSU vs. Parkside Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU and Parkside? 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).

• University of Wisconsin Parkside's six-year graduation rate (28%) is higher than Chicago State University's (21%).
• Graduates from University of Wisconsin Parkside earn a median of about $2,700 more per year than CSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($41,000 vs. $38,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Wisconsin Parkside graduates have a $8,285 lower median loan debt than CSU graduates ($22,965 vs. $31,250).
• Among borrowers, Parkside graduates have an estimated $86 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU graduates ($237 vs. $323).
• More Parkside graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU students, three years after graduation. (54% 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.