Chicago State University
About
Chicago State University (CSU) is a public university in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Founded in 1867 by the Cook County Board of Commissioners, it was established as the first teacher training school in Cook County. In 1949, the institution was divided into two branches with one eventually becoming Northeastern Illinois University. The state of Illinois began funding the institution in 1951 and assumed full control in 1965. CSU is a predominantly black (PBI) university.
Admissions & acceptance rate
First-time freshman admissions: how selective the college is, and how many admitted students choose to enroll.
Graduation rate & outcomes
Completion, retention, and the equity gap between Pell and non-Pell students.
Pell equity
Non-Pell students graduate at a 12.8-point higher rate than Pell recipients.
Source: IPEDS Graduation Rates (GR) — Pell/SSL cohort, 2024 cohort.
Program outcomes
Federal Program Performance Data: how each program's graduate earnings and debt measure up under Financial Value Transparency and Gainful Employment.
Of 70 Title IV programs, 10 pass the federal Gainful Employment test and 0 fail. 60 have graduate earnings too small to publish, so they carry no pass/fail verdict.
Pass / fail distribution
- Passing10 · 14.3%
- No Data60 · 85.7%
- Failing0 · 0.0%
Severity spectrum
Tiers band programs by how far graduate earnings sit above or below the benchmark, from Critical (below −15%) through Safe (above +25%). No data means earnings were privacy-suppressed.
Earnings premium gap
Graduate earnings versus the federal benchmark, worst gaps first.
Debt vs earnings
Median completer debt against median graduate earnings, highest burden first.
Accreditation status & history
Who accredits the institution, current standing, and any past actions.
Higher Learning Commission
Programmatic accreditations · 6
Action history · 15
- Aug 2025Renewal of AccreditationAccreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. — May 6, 2013 Formerly: National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission · Nursing (NUR) - Baccalaureate program
- Sep 2023Probation or Equivalent or a More Severe Status: Show CauseAccreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. — May 6, 2013 Formerly: National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission · Nursing (NUR) - Baccalaureate program
- Jun 2023Accreditation Reaffirmed: Probation RemovedAccreditation Council for Pharmacy Education · Pharmacy (PHAR) - Professional degree programs
- Apr 2023Renewal of AccreditationHigher Learning Commission
- Sep 2021Probation or Equivalent or a More Severe Status: ProbationAccreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. — May 6, 2013 Formerly: National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission · Nursing (NUR) - Baccalaureate program
Tuition & cost
What families actually pay, broken down by family income.
Net price by family income
Negative values mean aid exceeds the published cost of attendance for that income band.
Federal aid volume & trends
Pell grants and federal Direct Loan volume disbursed to students, and how they've trended.
In AY 2024–25, 1,091 students received $6.0M in Pell grants, alongside $19.8M in federal Direct Loans.
Pell recipients · 5-year trend
Loan volume by type · AY 2024–25
Loan awards count each loan type a student holds, not unique borrowers; one student may carry several (e.g. subsidized and unsubsidized), so the per-type figures are the reliable detail.
Student loan default rate
The share of student borrowers who default on federal loans within three years, against the national benchmark.
Of 1,094 borrowers who entered repayment, 22 (2.0%) defaulted within three years — below the 2.3% national rate.
Default rate vs national, by cohort
* Cohorts 2020 and later read near 0% because the federal COVID-19 payment pause (CARES Act) suspended defaults nationwide. These years reflect a national policy, not institutional performance; the 2019 cohort is the last measured under normal repayment.
Academic programs at Chicago State
Top program areas ranked by completions.
Top program families by completions
Enrollment trends & demographics
Fall headcount, 12-month unduplicated enrollment, and student body composition.
Gender split
Race / ethnicity composition
Athletics & Title IX gender equity
How athletic participation, aid, and spending are split between men and women.
Men vs women · spending splits
Sport-by-sport · 7
Campus safety & crime statistics
Reported on-campus crimes over the last three years, including violence and hate crimes.
3-year trend
Criminal offenses by type
By location
VAWA offenses
Hate crimes by bias
No hate crimes reported.
Arrests vs disciplinary referrals
Residence-hall fires
Data quality: 1 report was later determined unfounded across the reporting period and are excluded from the totals above.
Student-faculty ratio
Student-to-faculty ratio and instructional staff counts.
Chicago State vs Peer comparison
The peer institutions Chicago State selected for federal comparison reporting.
A larger shape on any axis means this institution outperforms its peers on that dimension. For acceptance rate and net price, lower raw values are inverted so "more selective" and "more affordable" appear larger.
| Carnegie | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SubjectChicago State University | 15% | — | 2,238 | $12,335 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs |
| 32% | 99.2% | 2,901 | $12,980 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs | |
| 75% | 22.7% | 3,793 | $20,723 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs | |
| 48% | 100.0% | 2,654 | $13,540 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs | |
| 34% | 58.1% | 3,377 | $8,683 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs | |
| 39% | 91.7% | 5,725 | $4,904 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs | |
| 48% | 83.6% | 4,002 | $16,114 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs | |
| 50% | 89.2% | 4,104 | $16,715 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs | |
| 21% | 48.3% | 4,397 | $12,329 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs | |
| 57% | 58.8% | 4,386 | $17,997 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs | |
| 27% | — | 2,704 | $14,838 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs | |
| 52% | 87.5% | 3,707 | $19,216 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs | |
| 44% | 75.3% | 4,732 | $14,027 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs | |
| 43% | 88.6% | 5,113 | $16,732 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs | |
| 44% | 62.2% | 8,214 | $15,291 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs | |
| 30% | 98.7% | 2,384 | $13,286 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs | |
| 55% | 81.3% | 2,733 | $14,164 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs | |
| 38% | 78.7% | 3,187 | $13,868 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs | |
| 26% | 95.9% | 3,586 | $8,109 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs | |
| 52% | 85.9% | 4,628 | $9,833 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs | |
| 42% | 84.5% | 3,794 | $6,420 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs | |
| 52% | — | 4,666 | $15,360 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs | |
| 26% | — | 3,531 | $8,522 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs | |
| 47% | 98.1% | 3,722 | $17,237 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs | |
| 54% | 81.4% | 4,588 | $16,721 | Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs | |
| Peer group median | 44% | 84.5% | 3,793 | $14,027 |
Institutions like Chicago State
Explore the federal data for institutions in Chicago State's comparison group.
- Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger ProgramsColorado
Adams State University
Grad rate32%Admit rate99.2%Enrollment2,901Net price$12,980View data - Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger ProgramsSouth Carolina
Citadel Military College of South Carolina
Grad rate75%Admit rate22.7%Enrollment3,793Net price$20,723View data - Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger ProgramsMississippi
Delta State University
Grad rate48%Admit rate100.0%Enrollment2,654Net price$13,540View data - Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger ProgramsOklahoma
East Central University
Grad rate34%Admit rate58.1%Enrollment3,377Net price$8,683View data - Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger ProgramsNew Mexico
Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus
Grad rate39%Admit rate91.7%Enrollment5,725Net price$4,904View data - Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger ProgramsMassachusetts
Framingham State University
Grad rate48%Admit rate83.6%Enrollment4,002Net price$16,114View data - Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger ProgramsMaryland
Frostburg State University
Grad rate50%Admit rate89.2%Enrollment4,104Net price$16,715View data - Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger ProgramsIllinois
Governors State University
Grad rate21%Admit rate48.3%Enrollment4,397Net price$12,329View data - Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger ProgramsMinnesota
Minnesota State University Moorhead
Grad rate57%Admit rate58.8%Enrollment4,386Net price$17,997View data - Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger ProgramsNew Mexico
New Mexico Highlands University
Grad rate27%Admit rate—Enrollment2,704Net price$14,838View data - Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger ProgramsNew Hampshire
Plymouth State University
Grad rate52%Admit rate87.5%Enrollment3,707Net price$19,216View data - Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger ProgramsArkansas
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus
Grad rate44%Admit rate75.3%Enrollment4,732Net price$14,027View data - Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger ProgramsOregon
Southern Oregon University
Grad rate43%Admit rate88.6%Enrollment5,113Net price$16,732View data - Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger ProgramsMinnesota
Southwest Minnesota State University
Grad rate44%Admit rate62.2%Enrollment8,214Net price$15,291View data - Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger ProgramsTexas
Sul Ross State University
Grad rate30%Admit rate98.7%Enrollment2,384Net price$13,286View data - Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger ProgramsNew York
SUNY Polytechnic Institute
Grad rate55%Admit rate81.3%Enrollment2,733Net price$14,164View data - Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger ProgramsMaryland
University of Baltimore
Grad rate38%Admit rate78.7%Enrollment3,187Net price$13,868View data - Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger ProgramsTexas
University of Houston-Victoria
Grad rate26%Admit rate95.9%Enrollment3,586Net price$8,109View data - Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger ProgramsIllinois
University of Illinois Springfield
Grad rate52%Admit rate85.9%Enrollment4,628Net price$9,833View data - Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger ProgramsTexas
University of North Texas at Dallas
Grad rate42%Admit rate84.5%Enrollment3,794Net price$6,420View data - Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger ProgramsNebraska
Wayne State College
Grad rate52%Admit rate—Enrollment4,666Net price$15,360View data - Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger ProgramsNew Mexico
Western New Mexico University
Grad rate26%Admit rate—Enrollment3,531Net price$8,522View data - Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger ProgramsOregon
Western Oregon University
Grad rate47%Admit rate98.1%Enrollment3,722Net price$17,237View data - Masters Colleges & Universities: Larger ProgramsMassachusetts
Westfield State University
Grad rate54%Admit rate81.4%Enrollment4,588Net price$16,721View data
Chicago State Institutional Research office
The IR team responsible for the institution's federal reporting.
The Office collaborates with university administration and academic departments to support institutional decision making and student success at Chicago State University. The Office promotes the use of institutional data, analysis, and research for decision making in keeping with CSU's educational mission.
Visit IR office page- Ms. Taylor PalmerSenior Researcher
- Dr. Jane StoutDirector
Reports & documents (5)
Dashboards, factbooks, data dictionaries, and other reference material published by the IR office.
- DashboardDashboardcsu.edu
- Data definitionInstitutional Effectiveness & Research | Chicago State UniversityChicago State University's Institutional Effectiveness & Research page outlines the mission and goals of the Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Research (IER). The office supports institutional decision-making and student success through data and analysis. Key areas of focus include retention trends, graduation rates, and program evaluation. The office aims to provide effective support for both internal and external stakeholders by engaging with academic leaders, utilizing data science techniques, and producing relevant research reports.csu.edu
- DFR reportIPEDS Data Feedback Report 20242024nces.ed.gov
- FactbookChicago State University Fact Book2023The Chicago State University Fact Book is a downloadable PDF that provides data on the most recently completed academic year, detailing enrollment and completion trends, student and faculty/staff characteristics, and university features. It includes student achievement statistics related to retention and degree completions, with data available for the most recent academic year.csu.edu
- Strategic plan2025-2030 Strategic Plan2025Chicago State University has outlined its Strategic Plan for 2025-2030, focusing on enhancing academic excellence, fostering a supportive university culture, and strengthening infrastructure. The plan emphasizes community engagement and economic development, aiming to create mutually beneficial partnerships with local organizations. Key priorities include developing recruitment and graduation strategies and ensuring the university has diverse revenue streams and efficient operations.csu.edu
Grants & funding (1)
Federal grant awards and open funding opportunities awarded to this institution.
Notable alumni of Chicago State (25)
A curated list of alumni recognized for notable achievements across industries.
- James A. BanksAcademia
- Jack DongarraComputer Science
- LaTanya McDadeEducation
- Cynthia NanceLaw
- Martin RidgeHistory
- Mamie TillActivism
- Deji AkindeleAthletics
- Darron BrittmanAthletics
- James "Chico" HernandezAthletics
- David HolstonAthletics
- Bob JanecykAthletics
- Willye WhiteAthletics
Frequently asked questions about Chicago State University
Quick answers to the questions most often asked about Chicago State.
What is the graduation rate at Chicago State University?
How many students attend Chicago State University?
What is the average net price at Chicago State University?
What is the yield rate at Chicago State University?
Where is Chicago State University located?
Who runs Institutional Research at Chicago State University?
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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