CHICAGO (June 27, 2022) – Collegiate Consulting presented Chicago State with three benchmarking studies individually analyzing the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, the Ohio Valley Conference and the Horizon League for potential full and/or affiliate membership.
After detailed description of the conferences’ histories, the benchmarking comparisons included enrollment demographics, tuition and fees, sports sponsorships, in-depth budget breakdowns, staffing, salaries and both academic progress and graduation success rates.
The benchmarking assessments indicated that Chicago State’s total enrollment of 3,039 enrollment would be rank in the bottom-third of the Horizon League (15,903) and OVC (9,461), and would rank 6th in the the MEAC (5,596).
Athletically, Chicago State sponsors 15 sports, and has recently completed a football feasibility study. In comparison, the Horizon League offers 19 championship sports; OVC offers 20 and MEAC has 16. On the men’s side, the Horizon League is the only conference to offer men’s soccer and the MEAC does not offer women’s golf or women’s soccer. Sports programs offered by the conference, but not at Chicago State include baseball, softball and swimming & diving.
Operating budget comparisons for CSU offered sports would rank in the top-third of the MEAC with four programs ranking first in the Conference. Chicago State compares favorably within the Horizon League with 13-of-15 programs ranking in the top-third. In the OVC, the women’s programs would rank in the top-two; with the men’s programs in the top-third.
Chicago State offers 108 scholarships for its 15 programs, with seven programs fully-funded and would rank in the top-third within all three conferences. Chicago State’s coaching and administrative staffing levels are comparable to the MEAC; but rank below the Horizon League and OVC averages. Coaching salaries at Chicago State rank below the average of all three conferences.
In the past two years, Collegiate Consulting has provided conference benchmarking comparisons for nearly 20 DI institutions as they consider their conference alignment.