Skip to content

California State University-Chico vs Stanford University

California State University-Chico is a public university in Chico, CA, and Stanford University is a private university in Stanford, CA. Stanford University is the more selective of the two, admitting about 4% of applicants against 93% at California State University-Chico. Stanford University is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $13,807 a year against $14,480 at California State University-Chico. About 92% of students graduate at Stanford University, compared with 63% at California State University-Chico. Ten years after enrolling, Stanford University alumni earn a median of about $124,080, against $64,172 for California State University-Chico.

California State University-Chico

Chico, CA · Public

Stanford University

Stanford, CA · Private
At a glance
Type
Public
Private
Location
Chico, CA
Stanford, CA
Setting
Urban
Suburban
Undergraduates
13,631
7,554
Acceptance rate
93%
4%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.17–3.67
3.55–4
SAT (middle 50%)
970–1170
1510–1580
ACT (middle 50%)
18–24
34–35
Test policy
Test blind
Required
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$14,480
$13,807
Full cost / yr
$26,283
$87,833
In-state tuition
$8,472
$65,910
Out-of-state tuition
$21,072
$65,910
Application fee
$70
$90
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$9,902
$0*
$30k - $48k
$10,099
$0*
$48k - $75k
$12,961
$3,212
$75k - $110k
$16,506
$11,092
Over $110k
$23,566
$53,882
Outcomes
Graduation rate
63%
92%
Freshman retention
82%
98%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$50,493
$102,887
Median earnings (10 yr)
$64,172
$124,080
Median debt at graduation
$16,552
$12,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
43%
19%
First-generation students
47%
30%
International students
1%
13%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Nov 1
Regular decision
Dec 15
Jan 5

* Reported aid for this income range averaged above the billed cost.

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 Stanford University harder to get into?
Stanford University is harder to get into. It admits about 4% 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 Stanford University?
Stanford University is cheaper on average. Students pay about $13,807 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 Stanford University?
Before aid, California State University-Chico costs about $26,283 a year and Stanford University about $87,833. 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 Stanford University?
Stanford University. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $-2,536 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 Stanford University?
California State University-Chico is the larger of the two, with about 13,631 undergraduates against 7,554 at Stanford University.
Does California State University-Chico or Stanford University have a better graduation rate?
Stanford University has the higher graduation rate, at about 92% against 63% at California State University-Chico.
Do graduates of California State University-Chico or Stanford University earn more?
Stanford University alumni earn more on average: a median of about $124,080 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 Stanford University require SAT or ACT scores?
California State University-Chico is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all. Stanford University requires SAT or ACT scores.
What SAT scores do California State University-Chico and Stanford University look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 970–1170 at California State University-Chico and 1510–1580 at Stanford University. 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