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Chicago State University

CSU

Chicago, Illinois 60628-1598

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Tight-knitUrbanGreek life

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.

Established
1867
Motto
Responsibility
Mascot
Southside T. Cougar
Type
Public university
Conference
Northeast Conference
Division
Division I

Campus Visits

1 upcoming visit · Next: Tue, Nov 10 · Campus Visit

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41%Acceptance
SAT Avg
1,414Students
10:1Student:Faculty
17%Grad Rate
$42,778Earnings 10yr
$10,133Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate40.5%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$12,754
Tuition (out-of-state)$12,754
Room & Board$11,550
Books & Supplies$2,400
Total Cost of Attendance$30,454
Average Net Price$10,133
Median Debt at Graduation$30,625
Monthly Payment (10yr)$325

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$8,025
$30–48K$10,674
$48–75K$12,729
$75–110K$16,801
$110K+$9,392

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

39.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

-3.0%/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)

3

Burglary

1

Aggravated Assault

0

Robbery

1

Motor Vehicle Theft

1

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

3

Drug Arrests

2

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%

Below Average

Student Body

Undergrads
1,414
Gender Split
69% / 31%
Women / Men
First Generation
42%
Pell Grant Recipients
55%

Race & Ethnicity

White 3%
Black 76%
Hispanic 7%
Asian 1%
Two+ 2%
Int'l 4%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate17.0%
Freshman Retention46.8%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$33,805
10 Years$42,778

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#145
vs 2024

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

112High

Estimated from IL state average + large city premium

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 30"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Chicagopop. 2.7M
11 mi(19 min)
Milwaukeepop. 570K
92 mi(159 min)
Indianapolispop. 880K
155 mi(269 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

ORD Chicago O'Hare23 mi
MKE Milwaukee86 mi
IND Indianapolis154 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA849 mi · ~24h 32m drive
New York, NY710 mi · ~20h 31m drive
Hartford, CT769 mi · ~22h 13m drive
Providence, RI833 mi · ~24h 4m drive
Albany, NY711 mi · ~20h 32m drive
Syracuse, NY592 mi · ~17h 6m drive
Rochester, NY519 mi · ~15h drive
Buffalo, NY453 mi · ~13h 5m drive
Philadelphia, PA661 mi · ~19h 6m drive
Pittsburgh, PA406 mi · ~11h 44m drive
Harrisburg, PA568 mi · ~16h 25m drive
Newark, NJ701 mi · ~20h 15m drive
Washington, DC589 mi · ~17h 1m drive
Baltimore, MD601 mi · ~17h 22m drive
Atlanta, GA578 mi · ~16h 42m drive
Charlotte, NC578 mi · ~16h 42m drive
Raleigh, NC633 mi · ~18h 17m drive
Miami, FL1181 mi · ~34h 7m drive
Orlando, FL976 mi · ~28h 12m drive
Tampa, FL995 mi · ~28h 45m drive
Nashville, TN386 mi · ~11h 9m drive
New Orleans, LA825 mi · ~23h 50m drive
Richmond, VA613 mi · ~17h 43m drive
Chicago, IL11 mi · ~19 min drive
Detroit, MI238 mi · ~6h 53m drive
Minneapolis, MN362 mi · ~10h 27m drive
St. Louis, MO254 mi · ~7h 20m drive
Kansas City, MO409 mi · ~11h 49m drive
Indianapolis, IN155 mi · ~4h 29m drive
Columbus, OH270 mi · ~7h 48m drive
Cleveland, OH306 mi · ~8h 50m drive
Milwaukee, WI92 mi · ~2h 39m drive
Dallas, TX797 mi · ~23h 1m drive
Houston, TX933 mi · ~26h 57m drive
Austin, TX972 mi · ~28h 5m drive
San Antonio, TX1045 mi · ~30h 11m drive
Los Angeles, CA1742 mi · ~50h 19m drive
San Francisco, CA1856 mi · ~53h 37m drive
San Diego, CA1730 mi · ~49h 59m drive
Seattle, WA1739 mi · ~50h 14m drive
Portland, OR1759 mi · ~50h 49m drive
Denver, CO919 mi · ~26h 33m drive
Phoenix, AZ1450 mi · ~41h 53m drive
Salt Lake City, UT1259 mi · ~36h 22m drive
Honolulu, HI4251 mi · ~122h 48m drive
Mid-Atlantic / Central (moderate winters, warm summers)

Deadline Calendar

Chicago State University Application Checklist

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