Campus Vibe
Known for psychology — close-knit campus
Chicago State University is a public institution in Chicago with particular strength in psychology and business.
A small campus of 1.4K undergraduates with a 10:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.
17% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $42,778 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $10,133.
Campus Visits
Plan Your Visit
News & Alerts
Chicago State University Launches New Data Science Minor
Starting Fall 2026, students can pursue an interdisciplinary data science minor combining CS, statistics, and domain courses.
Tuition Increase Announced for 2026-27
The board of trustees approved a 3.2% tuition increase for the upcoming academic year, in line with peer institutions.
Admissions
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.
Cost & Financial Aid
Sticker Price
Net Price by Family Income
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.
Debt & Aid Detail
Net Price Trend
Tuition Trend
Graduate w/ Zero Debt
38.7%
Avg Tuition Increase
3.2%/yr
Median Debt at Grad
$21,500
Campus Safety
Total Incidents (2024)
11
Peer Average
13
3-Year Trend
Emergency System
Campus security, emergency notification system
Incident Breakdown (2024)
Burglary
Aggravated Assault
Robbery
Motor Vehicle Theft
Sex Offenses
Arson
Drug Arrests
Liquor Arrests
Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).
Programs (66)
Student Life
Student Satisfaction
Retention Rate
47%
- •47% first-year retention rate
- •Active student organizations
- •Engaged campus community
Mental Health Services
Counselor Ratio
1:350
24/7 Crisis Line
Yes
Free Sessions
12 per year
Avg Wait
5 days
Walk-in hours available weekdays
Disability Services
ADA-compliant campus with ongoing accessibility improvements
Dining
Rating
★★★★☆
Score
4/5
Meal Plan
$6,200/yr
Multiple dining halls with farm-to-table options
Student Body
Race & Ethnicity
Outcomes
Median Earnings After Graduation
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.
Rankings
More About This School
History & Fun Facts
- •History Early history: 19th century Cook County Normal School was founded in 1867 as Cook County’s first teacher training school largely through the initiative of John F.
- •He convinced the County Commissioners to hold a teacher training institute in April 1860; its success convinced the commissioners of the need for a permanent school to educate teachers.
- •In September 1867, the Cook County Board of Commissioners created a Normal school at Blue Island on a two-year experimental basis; Daniel Sanborn Wentworth was appointed as the first principal.
- •The school opened in 1869 as a permanent institution in Englewood, which at that time was a village beyond the city-limits of Chicago at that time.
- •After Wentworth died in 1883, he was replaced by Colonel Francis Wayland Parker, a towering figure in the history of American education.
Source: Wikipedia
Location & Lifestyle
Cost of Living
Housing and food costs are higher than national average
Climate (School Year)
Nearest Cities
Transit Scores
Local Economy
Getting There
Nearest Airports
Distance to Cities
Visit Planning
Suggested Itinerary
Nearby Hotels
Airport Transit
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