California State University-Chico vs Santa Clara University
California State University-Chico is a public university in Chico, CA. Santa Clara University is a private university in Santa Clara, CA. Santa Clara University admits about 48% of applicants and California State University-Chico about 93%, making Santa Clara 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 $50,062 at Santa Clara University. About 88% of students graduate at Santa Clara University, compared with 63% at California State University-Chico. Ten years after enrolling, Santa Clara University alumni earn a median of about $109,183, against $64,172 for California State University-Chico.
At a glance
Type
Public
Private
Location
Chico, CA
Santa Clara, CA
Setting
Urban
Urban
Undergraduates
13,631
6,552
Acceptance rate
93%
48%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.17–3.67
3.5–4
SAT (middle 50%)
970–1170
1350–1490
ACT (middle 50%)
18–24
31–33
Test policy
Test blind
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$14,480
$50,062
Full cost / yr
$26,283
$82,026
In-state tuition
$8,472
$61,293
Out-of-state tuition
$21,072
$61,293
Application fee
$70
$70
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$9,902
$22,985
$30k - $48k
$10,099
$19,154
$48k - $75k
$12,961
$26,531
$75k - $110k
$16,506
$37,219
Over $110k
$23,566
$60,678
Outcomes
Graduation rate
63%
88%
Freshman retention
82%
94%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$50,493
$91,198
Median earnings (10 yr)
$64,172
$109,183
Median debt at graduation
$16,552
$19,162
Student body
Pell grant recipients
43%
11%
First-generation students
47%
17%
International students
1%
7%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Nov 1
Early action
Not reported
Nov 1
Regular decision
Dec 15
Jan 7
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 Santa Clara University harder to get into?
- Santa Clara University is harder to get into. It admits about 48% 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 Santa Clara University?
- California State University-Chico is cheaper on average. Students pay about $14,480 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $50,062 at Santa Clara 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 Santa Clara University?
- Before aid, California State University-Chico costs about $26,283 a year and Santa Clara University about $82,026. 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 Santa Clara University?
- California State University-Chico. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $9,902 there, against about $22,985 at Santa Clara 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 Santa Clara University?
- California State University-Chico is the larger of the two, with about 13,631 undergraduates against 6,552 at Santa Clara University.
- Does California State University-Chico or Santa Clara University have a better graduation rate?
- Santa Clara University has the higher graduation rate, at about 88% against 63% at California State University-Chico.
- Do graduates of California State University-Chico or Santa Clara University earn more?
- Santa Clara University alumni earn more on average: a median of about $109,183 ten years after enrolling, against about $64,172 for California State University-Chico. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do California State University-Chico and Santa Clara University require SAT or ACT scores?
- California State University-Chico is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all. Santa Clara University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
- What SAT scores do California State University-Chico and Santa Clara University look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 970–1170 at California State University-Chico and 1350–1490 at Santa Clara 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 University of San DiegoSanta Clara University vs Stanford UniversitySanta Clara University vs Loyola Marymount UniversitySanta Clara University vs University of San Diego
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