Skip to content

California State University-Chico vs California State University-Los Angeles

California State University-Chico is a public university in Chico, CA, and California State University-Los Angeles is a public university in Los Angeles, CA. California State University-Los Angeles is the more selective of the two, admitting about 91% of applicants against 93% at California State University-Chico. California State University-Los Angeles is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $3,967 a year against $14,480 at California State University-Chico. About 63% of students graduate at California State University-Chico, compared with 53% at California State University-Los Angeles. Ten years after enrolling, California State University-Chico alumni earn a median of about $64,172, against $59,211 for California State University-Los Angeles.

California State University-Chico

Chico, CA · Public

California State University-Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA · Public
At a glance
Type
Public
Public
Location
Chico, CA
Los Angeles, CA
Setting
Urban
Urban
Undergraduates
13,631
19,562
Acceptance rate
93%
91%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.17–3.67
3.14–3.64
SAT (middle 50%)
970–1170
870–1060
ACT (middle 50%)
18–24
15–20
Test policy
Test blind
Test blind
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$14,480
$3,967
Full cost / yr
$26,283
$18,403
In-state tuition
$8,472
$7,160
Out-of-state tuition
$21,072
$19,760
Application fee
$70
$70
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$9,902
$2,877
$30k - $48k
$10,099
$2,974
$48k - $75k
$12,961
$5,002
$75k - $110k
$16,506
$7,355
Over $110k
$23,566
$13,578
Outcomes
Graduation rate
63%
53%
Freshman retention
82%
72%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$50,493
$45,702
Median earnings (10 yr)
$64,172
$59,211
Median debt at graduation
$16,552
$13,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
43%
66%
First-generation students
47%
62%
International students
1%
1%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
Regular decision
Dec 15
Nov 30

Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.

Frequently asked questions
Is California State University-Chico or California State University-Los Angeles harder to get into?
California State University-Los Angeles is harder to get into. It admits about 91% of applicants, compared with 93% at California State University-Chico. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, California State University-Chico or California State University-Los Angeles?
California State University-Los Angeles is cheaper on average. Students pay about $3,967 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $14,480 at California State University-Chico. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
What is the full cost of attendance at California State University-Chico and California State University-Los Angeles?
Before aid, California State University-Los Angeles costs about $18,403 a year and California State University-Chico about $26,283. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, California State University-Chico or California State University-Los Angeles?
California State University-Los Angeles. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $2,877 there, against about $9,902 at California State University-Chico. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, California State University-Chico or California State University-Los Angeles?
California State University-Los Angeles is the larger of the two, with about 19,562 undergraduates against 13,631 at California State University-Chico.
Does California State University-Chico or California State University-Los Angeles have a better graduation rate?
California State University-Chico has the higher graduation rate, at about 63% against 53% at California State University-Los Angeles.
Do graduates of California State University-Chico or California State University-Los Angeles earn more?
California State University-Chico alumni earn more on average: a median of about $64,172 ten years after enrolling, against about $59,211 for California State University-Los Angeles. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do California State University-Chico and California State University-Los Angeles require SAT or ACT scores?
California State University-Chico is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all. California State University-Los Angeles is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all.
What SAT scores do California State University-Chico and California State University-Los Angeles look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 970–1170 at California State University-Chico and 870–1060 at California State University-Los Angeles. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

Which of these is the better fit for you?

These lists are a great start, but the one list that actually matters is yours. Blueprint builds it in two free steps.

1 Discovery quiz: find your major2 Matchmaker: your odds + net price at every school