Cal U of Pa vs Chico State
California University of Pennsylvania and California State University-Chico, both public universities located in their respective states, offer distinct educational experiences. Cal U, nestled in the rolling hills of Western Pennsylvania, boasts a higher acceptance rate, making it a more accessible option for students. CSU-Chico, situated in the vibrant city of Chico, California, attracts a diverse student body, with a higher percentage of Hispanic and Asian students. While Cal U excels in fields like Business, Education, and Health Professions, CSU-Chico shines in Agriculture, Biological Sciences, and Engineering. Both universities offer competitive graduation rates, ensuring that students are well-prepared for their future careers. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more key differences and make an informed decision about which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() California State University-Chico |
![]() California University of Pennsylvania |
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Overview |
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Location | Chico, California | California, Pennsylvania |
Campus setting | City: Midsize | Suburb: Small |
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% | 67.0% |
![]() |
No | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 85.5% | 97.1% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$70
Graduate:
$70
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Undergraduate:
$35
Graduate:
$35
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SAT range | N/A | 940 - 1150 |
ACT range | N/A | 18 - 24 |
Students submitting SAT score | 38.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 6.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 19,990 | 3,933 |
Total number of admissions given out | 17,086 | 3,818 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,929 | 815 |
Yield rate | 11.3% | 21.3% |
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 | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$23,984
Out of state:
$35,864
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In state:
$27,904
Out of state:
$32,522
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Average net price | $13,749 | $20,317 |
Tuition |
In state:
$5,742
Out of state:
$17,622
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In state:
$7,716
Out of state:
$11,574
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$8,609
Meal plan:
$3,881
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Room/dormitory:
$6,822
Meal plan:
$3,900
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
63.0%
Average amount $8,691 |
92.0%
Average amount $6,250 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
29.0%
Average amount $4,637 |
62.0%
Average amount $4,982 |
Students taking out private loans |
1.0%
Average amount $11,369 |
8.0%
Average amount $9,920 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
14,462
Men 45.5% Women 54.5% |
4,463
Men 43.3% Women 56.7% |
Graduate students |
1,240
Men 33.6% Women 66.4% |
2,046
Men 30.4% Women 69.6% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
|
Low
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Out-of-state students | 1.3% | 13.0% |
International students | 2.9% | 1.0% |
Campus local/setting | City: Midsize | Suburb: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 2,323 | 2,075 |
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 | Pennsylvania Ohio New York Maryland New Jersey |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 22:1 | 19:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission | Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 65.4% | 48.4% |
Dropout rate | 27.4% | 23.8% |
Transferred out | 4.8% | 26.0% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Construction Management (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Engineering, Other (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Master's Degrees)
Engineering-Related Fields (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
Legal Professions and Studies, Other (Master's Degrees)
Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Master's Degrees)
Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Master's Degrees)
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