California State University-Chico vs La Sierra University
California State University-Chico is a public university in Chico, CA. La Sierra University is a private university in Riverside, CA. La Sierra University admits about 92% of applicants and California State University-Chico about 93%, making La Sierra University the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $14,480 a year at California State University-Chico after aid, and about $45,566 at La Sierra University. About 64% of students graduate at La Sierra University, compared with 63% at California State University-Chico. Ten years after enrolling, California State University-Chico alumni earn a median of about $64,172, against $61,824 for La Sierra University.
At a glance
Type
Public
Private
Location
Chico, CA
Riverside, CA
Setting
Urban
Urban
Undergraduates
13,631
1,116
Acceptance rate
93%
92%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.17–3.67
3.19–3.69
SAT (middle 50%)
970–1170
880–1140
ACT (middle 50%)
18–24
18–28
Test policy
Test blind
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$14,480
$45,566
Full cost / yr
$26,283
$51,459
In-state tuition
$8,472
$37,710
Out-of-state tuition
$21,072
$37,710
Application fee
$70
$25
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$9,902
$44,988
$30k - $48k
$10,099
$44,593
$48k - $75k
$12,961
$45,518
$75k - $110k
$16,506
$47,266
Over $110k
$23,566
$45,999
Outcomes
Graduation rate
63%
64%
Freshman retention
82%
77%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$50,493
$42,617
Median earnings (10 yr)
$64,172
$61,824
Median debt at graduation
$16,552
$27,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
43%
47%
First-generation students
47%
40%
International students
1%
6%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Jan 1
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
Regular decision
Dec 15
Jul 29
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.
- Is California State University-Chico or La Sierra University harder to get into?
- La Sierra University is harder to get into. It admits about 92% 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 La Sierra University?
- California State University-Chico is cheaper on average. Students pay about $14,480 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $45,566 at La Sierra University. 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 La Sierra University?
- Before aid, California State University-Chico costs about $26,283 a year and La Sierra University about $51,459. 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 La Sierra University?
- California State University-Chico. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $9,902 there, against about $44,988 at La Sierra University. 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 La Sierra University?
- California State University-Chico is the larger of the two, with about 13,631 undergraduates against 1,116 at La Sierra University.
- Does California State University-Chico or La Sierra University have a better graduation rate?
- La Sierra University has the higher graduation rate, at about 64% against 63% at California State University-Chico.
- Do graduates of California State University-Chico or La Sierra University earn more?
- California State University-Chico alumni earn more on average: a median of about $64,172 ten years after enrolling, against about $61,824 for La Sierra University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do California State University-Chico and La Sierra University require SAT or ACT scores?
- California State University-Chico is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all. La Sierra University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
- What SAT scores do California State University-Chico and La Sierra University look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 970–1170 at California State University-Chico and 880–1140 at La Sierra University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
Related comparisons
California State University-Chico vs Stanford UniversityCalifornia State University-Chico vs Loyola Marymount UniversityCalifornia State University-Chico vs Santa Clara UniversityLa Sierra University vs Pomona CollegeLa Sierra University vs Claremont McKenna CollegeLa Sierra University vs Pitzer College
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