California State University-Chico vs California State University-San Marcos
Chico, CA — San Marcos, CA
| Metric | California State University-Chico Chico, CA | California State University-San Marcos San Marcos, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Chico, CA | San Marcos, CA |
| Type | Public | Public |
| Total Enrollment | 13,631 | 14,877 |
| Acceptance Rate | 92.7% | 95.1% |
| SAT Average | — | — |
| In-State Tuition | $8,472 | $8,082 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $21,072 | $20,682 |
| Avg Net Price | $14,480 | $10,229 |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $16,552 | $17,350 |
| 4-Year Graduation Rate | 63.2% | 54.4% |
| Retention Rate | 81.6% | 78.6% |
| Median Earnings (6 yr) | $50,493 | $48,673 |
| Median Earnings (10 yr) | $64,172 | $62,908 |
| Loan Repayment Rate | 515600.0% | 333500.0% |
Values highlighted in green indicate the better metric. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
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California State University-Chico
Chico, CA
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California State University-San Marcos
San Marcos, CA
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do California State University-Chico and California State University-San Marcos compare?▼
California State University-Chico (Chico, CA) has an acceptance rate of 92.7%, in-state tuition of $8,472, and median 10-year earnings of $64,172. California State University-San Marcos (San Marcos, CA) has an acceptance rate of 95.1%, in-state tuition of $8,082, and median 10-year earnings of $62,908.
Which school has higher graduate earnings, California State University-Chico or California State University-San Marcos?▼
California State University-Chico graduates earn more at 10 years out, with a median of $64,172 vs $62,908. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Which school is more affordable, California State University-Chico or California State University-San Marcos?▼
Based on average net price (after grants and scholarships), California State University-San Marcos is the more affordable option at $10,229 per year versus $14,480.
Which school has a better 4-year graduation rate?▼
California State University-Chico has the higher 4-year graduation rate: 63.2% vs 54.4%.
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All data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. PlainCollege is not affiliated with any government agency.
Related
Source: U.S. Department of Education — College Scorecard College Scorecard institution outcomes (earnings, completion, debt) · 2025