Chicago State University
A good fit for families looking for lower cost and students who want small classes and close faculty access. graduation rate is below 25% — most students don't finish here; fewer than half of freshmen return for sophomore year. 55% of students receive Pell Grants — strong access mission.
About This School
Chicago State University is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois with approximately 1,414 undergraduate students enrolled. The school is moderately selective, accepting approximately 41% of applicants. The average net price after financial aid is $10,133 per year. The graduation rate is 17%, and the typical graduate earns $38,200 within 10 years of enrollment.
Chicago State University (CSU) is a public university in Chicago, Illinois, United States.
The numbers tell a concerning story here — a 17% graduation rate and 47% freshman retention rate suggest most students who start don't finish, which is a serious red flag worth discussing before enrolling. On the positive side, the average net price of around $10,000 per year makes it one of the more affordable options in Chicago, which matters if cost is a real barrier. Worth considering only if you have a clear plan, strong support systems in place, and have compared transfer and community college pathways that might offer better outcomes at similar cost.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 13% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
What Each Major Actually Earns
Median earnings four years after graduation, by major, next to the national median for that same major at every college. The school-wide average hides this: at most schools the spread between the best- and worst-paying majors is far wider than the gap between schools.
Chicago State University graduates earn most above the national rate in Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($59,296 vs $47,382 nationally), and most below it in Business Administration, Management and Operations ($53,181 vs $68,257).
| Major | Grads | Here | National | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Psychology, General | 51 | $47,168 | $50,706 | −$3,538 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 43 | $53,181 | $68,257 | −$15,076 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 33 | $57,691 | $55,378 | +$2,313 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 16 | $92,024 | $88,910 | +$3,114 |
| Sociology | 12 | $51,485 | $52,657 | −$1,172 |
| Biology, General | 12 | $46,898 | $57,214 | −$10,316 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 10 | $59,296 | $47,382 | +$11,914 |
U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard field-of-study data. Median earnings of graduates working and not enrolled four years after completing a bachelor's degreehere. Majors with too few graduates to report are omitted for privacy, so this is not the school's full program list.
Will This School Pay Off?
Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (1,414 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
Schools Like This in Illinois
John Wood Community College
Quincy, IL · Public
City Colleges of Chicago-Olive-Harvey College
Chicago, IL · Public
Rend Lake College
Ina, IL · Public
Sauk Valley Community College
Dixon, IL · Public
Richland Community College
Decatur, IL · Public
City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College
Chicago, IL · Public
See How Colleges Compare
Chicago State University is one of thousands of colleges in our data studies, each built from the same U.S. Department of Education data shown on this page. Compare schools head to head:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Chicago State University?
Chicago State University has an acceptance rate of 41%, based on the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Education.
Is Chicago State University hard to get into?
Chicago State University is moderately selective, with an acceptance rate of 41%. Solid grades and a complete application give most applicants a real shot.
How much does Chicago State University cost?
The average net price at Chicago State University is about $10,133 per year after grants and scholarships, based on federal data. Your actual cost depends on your family's finances and aid package.
What is the graduation rate at Chicago State University?
Chicago State University has a graduation rate of 17%, according to U.S. Department of Education data.
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
All school names, logos, and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Their use on this page is for identification purposes only and does not imply endorsement or affiliation with CollegeHelpGuide.