The average acceptance rate at CSU over the past 10 years is 47.87%, and the most recent acceptance rate is 43.26%. Compared to the previous year, it became slightly easier to gain admission to CSU in 2025.
The average yield (enrollment rate) over the period is 10.30%, and the 2025 yield is 3.76%. Overall, the yield has decreased by 76.46% from 2015 to 2025.
The number of CSU applicants increased by 12.48% (1,180 applicants) compared to the previous year. Over the entire 10-year period, applicants increased by 80.83% overall.
The current acceptance rate for the 2025 admission cycle is 43.26%, showing a decreasing selectivity trend. This suggests that CSU is admitting a higher proportion of applicants, which may indicate either an increase in application quality or a strategic enrollment decision by the institution.
The admission yield (the percentage of admitted students who enroll) for the 2025 academic year is 3.76%. The declining yield trend suggests that a lower percentage of admitted students are choosing to enroll at CSU. This pattern may reflect increased competition from peer institutions, changing student demographics, or shifts in institutional enrollment strategy.
For the 2025 admission cycle, CSU received approximately 10,638 applications, admitted 4,602 students, and enrolled 173 students. The rising application volume trend indicates that CSU is attracting an increasing number of prospective students over time. This growth in applications typically reflects enhanced institutional visibility, improved marketing initiatives, or increasing perceived value in the higher education market.
CSU 10-Year Admission Rate Summary: The acceptance rate trends at CSU over the past decade show a relatively stable trend, with fluctuations in both directions. The average acceptance rate over this period is 47.87%, while the most recent rate stands at 43.26%. This data reflects the institution's evolving competitiveness in the higher education admissions landscape.
For the most recent admission cycle (2025), the acceptance rate is 43.26%. By gender, the average acceptance rate for men is 41.82% and for women is 51.38%.
The following table and chart show how acceptance rates at CSU have changed over the past 10 years (2015-2025).
| Year | Total | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | 21.18% | 18.75% | 22.54% |
| 2016-17 | 57.88% 36.70% |
52.63% 33.88% |
60.67% 38.12% |
| 2017-18 | 77.87% 19.99% |
72.59% 19.96% |
80.98% 20.31% |
| 2018-19 | 32.76% -45.11% |
31.96% -40.63% |
33.18% -47.80% |
| 2019-20 | 63.34% 30.58% |
59.47% 27.52% |
65.33% 32.15% |
| 2020-21 | 46.42% -16.92% |
40.06% -19.42% |
49.82% -15.51% |
| 2021-22 | 46.99% 0.57% |
39.00% -1.05% |
52.00% 2.19% |
| 2022-23 | 48.51% 1.52% |
41.88% 2.88% |
52.22% 0.22% |
| 2023-24 | 40.52% -8.00% |
30.68% -11.20% |
46.78% -5.44% |
| 2024-25 | 43.26% 2.74% |
31.16% 0.47% |
50.31% 3.53% |
| Average | 47.87% | 41.82% | 51.38% |
CSU has demonstrated a decline in admission yield over the past 10 years. The institution's yield rate has decreased from 15.97% in 2015 to 3.76% in 2025, representing a 76.46% decrease. The 10-year average yield stands at 10.30%, reflecting weakening enrollment performance.
The following table and chart illustrate the changes in yield at CSU from 2015 to 2025. The admission yield has decreased by 76.46% over this period.
| Year | Total | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | 15.97% | 20.91% | 13.66% |
| 2016-17 | 19.83% 3.85% |
38.30% 17.39% |
11.30% -2.37% |
| 2017-18 | 12.88% -6.95% |
12.77% -25.53% |
12.94% 1.64% |
| 2018-19 | 14.81% 1.93% |
18.54% 5.77% |
12.93% -0.01% |
| 2019-20 | 9.65% -5.16% |
10.94% -7.60% |
9.04% -3.88% |
| 2020-21 | 8.46% -1.19% |
7.44% -3.50% |
8.90% -0.15% |
| 2021-22 | 7.00% -1.46% |
11.06% 3.62% |
5.99% -2.91% |
| 2022-23 | 4.82% -2.18% |
6.28% -4.78% |
4.20% -1.79% |
| 2023-24 | 5.82% 1.00% |
6.73% 0.45% |
5.54% 1.34% |
| 2024-25 | 3.76% -2.06% |
4.88% -1.85% |
3.34% -2.19% |
| Average | 10.30% | 13.78% | 8.78% |
Over the past 10 years, The average number of applicants is 5,267, the average number of admitted is 2,307, and the average number of first-year enrolled students is 187.
The number of CSU applicants increased by 12.48% (1,180 applicants) compared to the previous year. Over the entire 10-year period, applicants increased by 80.83% overall.
The following table and chart show the changes of applicants, admitted, and enrolled headcount at Chicago State University from 2015 to 2025.
| Year | Applicants | Admitted | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | 5,883 | 1,246 | 199 |
| 2016-17 | 2,571 -56.30% |
1,488 19.42% |
295 48.24% |
| 2017-18 | 1,396 -45.70% |
1,087 -26.95% |
140 -52.54% |
| 2018-19 | 3,236 131.81% |
1,060 -2.48% |
157 12.14% |
| 2019-20 | 3,126 -3.40% |
1,980 86.79% |
191 21.66% |
| 2020-21 | 4,151 32.79% |
1,927 -2.68% |
163 -14.66% |
| 2021-22 | 4,805 15.76% |
2,258 17.18% |
158 -3.07% |
| 2022-23 | 7,404 54.09% |
3,592 59.08% |
173 9.49% |
| 2023-24 | 9,458 27.74% |
3,832 6.68% |
223 28.90% |
| 2024-25 | 10,638 12.48% |
4,602 20.09% |
173 -22.42% |
| Average | 5,267 | 2,307 | 187 |
The following table compares Chicago State University' acceptance rate to similar schools.
| 2024 | 2025 | Change % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago State University | 40.52% | 43.26% | 6.76% |
| University of Missouri-Kansas City | 72.18% | 74.99% | -3.75% |
| Utah Valley University | - | - | - |
| California State University-Bakersfield | 93.85% | 88.19% | 6.42% |
| The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley | 94.19% | 84.82% | 11.05% |
| Seattle University | 76.92% | 76.05% | 1.14% |
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