Western Washington University (WWU) vs Chico State
Western Washington University (WWU) and California State University-Chico (CSUC) are two public universities located in the Pacific Northwest and California, respectively. Both institutions offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, but there are some key differences between the two. WWU has a higher acceptance rate (78%) compared to CSUC (69%), and its student body is slightly larger, with over 15,000 students enrolled compared to CSUC's 14,000. CSUC has a higher graduation rate (63%) than WWU (59%), and its students tend to be more diverse, with a larger percentage of Hispanic and Asian students. In terms of popular majors, WWU is known for its strong programs in the arts, humanities, and social sciences, while CSUC is known for its programs in business, engineering, and computer science. To help you make an informed decision about which university is the best fit for you,
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![]() California State University-Chico |
![]() Western Washington University |
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Overview |
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Location | Chico, California | Bellingham, Washington |
Campus setting | City: Midsize | City: Small |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Quarter |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 81.0% | 81.0% |
![]() |
No | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 85.5% | 96.1% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$70
Graduate:
$70
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Undergraduate:
$65
Graduate:
$100
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SAT range | N/A | 1090 - 1310 |
ACT range | N/A | 22 - 29 |
Students submitting SAT score | 16.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 3.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 19,990 | 10,580 |
Total number of admissions given out | 17,086 | 10,167 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,929 | 2,874 |
Yield rate | 11.3% | 28.3% |
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 | 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:
$26,634
Out of state:
$43,861
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Average net price | $13,749 | $11,388 |
Tuition |
In state:
$5,742
Out of state:
$17,622
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In state:
$7,572
Out of state:
$24,799
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$8,609
Meal plan:
$3,881
|
$13,079 |
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 |
82.0%
Average amount $7,112 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
29.0%
Average amount $4,637 |
29.0%
Average amount $4,929 |
Students taking out private loans |
1.0%
Average amount $11,369 |
3.0%
Average amount $15,435 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
14,462
Men 45.5% Women 54.5% |
14,019
Men 42.6% Women 57.4% |
Graduate students |
1,240
Men 33.6% Women 66.4% |
1,106
Men 36.4% Women 63.6% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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Low
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Out-of-state students | 1.3% | N/A |
International students | 2.9% | 1.0% |
Campus local/setting | City: Midsize | City: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 2,323 | 3,985 |
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 | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 22:1 | 17:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission | Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 65.4% | 67.7% |
Dropout rate | 27.4% | 30.6% |
Transferred out | 4.8% | N/A |
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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Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Master's Degrees)
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Chemistry (Bachelor's Degrees)
Design and Applied Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
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