CSU vs. WWU

Comparable Facts

Compare Chicago State University in Chicago, IL with William Woods University in Fulton, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Chicago State University is larger than WWU based on total student enrollment (2,238 students vs. 2,046 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Chicago State University is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); William Woods University is in Fulton, MO (Distant Town setting).
• Chicago State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. William Woods University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Chicago State University 9:1; William Woods University 16:1.

CSU vs. WWU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU or WWU? 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 WWU ($10,441 vs. $27,092).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Chicago State University are 11.5% lower than at William Woods University ($11,550 vs. $13,050).
• William Woods University is 137.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU (about $17,586 more per year; $30,340.00 vs. $12,754.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 137.9% higher at WWU than at Chicago State University (about $17,586 more per year; $30,340.00 vs. $12,754.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Chicago State University as at William Woods University (99% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by William Woods University students is 22% larger than aid received by Chicago State University students ($22,204 vs. $18,194).

CSU vs. WWU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU or WWU? 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 WWU 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; WWU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WWU Dec 1, 2026.
• Enrolled freshman WWU students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at CSU (3.18).
• WWU has a higher acceptance rate (71%) than CSU (43.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 3.8% at CSU vs. 23.6% at WWU.

CSU vs. WWU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU and WWU? 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.

• William Woods University's six-year graduation rate (50%) is higher than Chicago State University's (21%).
• Graduates from William Woods University earn a median of about $300 more per year than CSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,600 vs. $38,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, William Woods University graduates have a $9,813 lower median loan debt than CSU graduates ($21,437 vs. $31,250).
• Among borrowers, WWU graduates have an estimated $102 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU graduates ($221 vs. $323).
• More WWU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU students, three years after graduation. (68% 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.