Chico State vs Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU)

California State University-Chico and Southern Connecticut State University, both public universities with rich histories, offer distinct educational experiences. CSU-Chico, nestled in the picturesque Sacramento Valley, boasts a higher acceptance rate and a larger student body, providing a vibrant and diverse campus community. SCSU, located in the charming city of New Haven, Connecticut, offers a more selective admissions process and a smaller student population, fostering a close-knit academic environment. While both universities excel in various academic programs, CSU-Chico is renowned for its strong offerings in business, communication, and engineering, while SCSU shines in nursing, education, and social work. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover further distinctions between these two esteemed institutions and make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
California State University-Chico logo

California State University-Chico

Southern Connecticut State University logo

Southern Connecticut State University

Overview

Location Chico, California New Haven, Connecticut
Campus setting City: Midsize City: Midsize
College type 4 year 4 year
Control/business model Public Public
Calendar system Semester Semester
Degrees offered Undergraduate and Graduate Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate 81.0% 72.0%
Common app member No Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission

Acceptance rate 85.5% 82.9%
Application fees
Undergraduate: $70

Graduate: $70
Undergraduate: $50

Graduate: $50
SAT range N/A N/A
ACT range N/A N/A
Students submitting SAT score
Students submitting ACT score
Total number of applicants 19,990 7,294
Total number of admissions given out 17,086 6,049
Admitted students who chose to enroll 1,929 1,022
Yield rate 11.3% 16.9%
Test scores (SAT/ACT) N/A N/A
High school GPA Required Required
Recommendation letters Not required Not required
High school transcript Not required Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) Not required Required

Tuition and Fees

Sticker price
In state: $23,984

Out of state: $35,864
In state: $26,686

Out of state: $40,090
Average net price $13,749 $18,493
Tuition
In state: $5,742

Out of state: $17,622
In state: $6,162

Out of state: $18,436
Room & board
Room/dormitory: $8,609

Meal plan: $3,881
Room/dormitory: $7,438

Meal plan: $6,228
Available payment plans
  • Tuition payment plan
  • Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

63.0%
Average amount $8,691
94.0%
Average amount $6,478
Students receiving federal student loan 29.0%
Average amount $4,637
68.0%
Average amount $5,267
Students taking out private loans 1.0%
Average amount $11,369
7.0%
Average amount $12,508

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 14,462
Men 45.5% Women 54.5%
6,800
Men 37.5% Women 62.5%
Graduate students 1,240
Men 33.6% Women 66.4%
1,988
Men 24.7% Women 75.3%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Moderate
Moderate
Out-of-state students 1.3% 9.4%
International students 2.9% 1.1%
Campus local/setting City: Midsize City: Midsize
Dormitory capacity 2,323 2,509
First year students are required to live on campus? No No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from California Oregon Washington Arizona Colorado Connecticut New York Mississippi New Jersey Georgia

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Liberal Arts
  • Health Professions
  • Public Administration and Social Service
  • Kinesiology & Leisure Studies
  • Engineering Technologies
  • Education
  • Health Professions
  • Business
  • Psychology
  • Public Administration and Social Service
Students to faculty ratio 22:1 12:1
Institutional accreditation Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission New England Commission on Higher Education

Outcome

Graduation rate 65.4% 52.3%
Dropout rate 27.4% 14.7%
Transferred out 4.8% 30.6%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $94,107
  • Year 2: $95,797
  • Year 3: $96,478
Construction Management (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $78,190
  • Year 2: $83,091
  • Year 3: $93,961
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $72,808
  • Year 2: $74,241
  • Year 3: $91,563
Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $71,244
  • Year 2: $70,176
  • Year 3: $79,499
Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $67,761
  • Year 2: $69,617
  • Year 3: $79,308
Engineering, Other (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $68,803
  • Year 2: $66,355
  • Year 3: $76,389
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $63,879
  • Year 2: $59,350
  • Year 3: $74,258
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $68,880
  • Year 2: $66,222
  • Year 3: $74,116
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $67,298
  • Year 2: $68,499
  • Year 3: $69,321
Engineering-Related Fields (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $60,812
  • Year 2: $57,318
  • Year 3: $68,680
Educational Administration and Supervision (Graduate/Professional Certificates)
  • Year 1: $73,779
  • Year 2: $75,072
  • Year 3: $81,441
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $73,460
  • Year 2: $71,015
  • Year 3: $74,943
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $63,714
  • Year 2: $64,706
  • Year 3: $73,822
Public Health (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $54,286
  • Year 2: $53,358
  • Year 3: $62,933
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $62,930
  • Year 2: $58,221
  • Year 3: $60,874
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $52,046
  • Year 2: $56,415
  • Year 3: $55,879
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Graduate/Professional Certificates)
  • Year 1: $57,138
  • Year 2: $57,318
  • Year 3: $55,763
Social Work (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $48,671
  • Year 2: $50,263
  • Year 3: $54,461
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $53,775
  • Year 3: $53,125
Special Education and Teaching (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $52,635
  • Year 2: $54,032
  • Year 3: $52,600