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California State University-Chico

California State University-Chico

Chico, CA · City · 13,631 students
WebsiteForbes rankingScorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$14,480
Average net priceYour net price
In-state · 2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
63%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
54% typical
$64,172
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$55,177 typical
93%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
82% typical · not scored
Accredited by Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
About

Founded in 1887 as one of the oldest campuses in the CSU system, California State University, Chico is renowned for its high-impact, hands-on education with premier programs in business, construction management, nursing, engineering, and agriculture. The university distinguishes itself through its national leadership in environmental sustainability and its expansive 800-acre University Farm, which provides students with practical, living-laboratory experience. Set on an arboretum-designated campus bordering the massive Bidwell Park, Chico State offers a quintessential, tight-knit college town culture characterized by vibrant school spirit and easy access to outdoor recreation.

Wikipedia:California State University, Chico is a public university in Chico, California, United States. It was founded in 1887 as one of about 180 "normal schools" founded by state governments in the 19th century to train teachers for the rapidly growing public common schools. Some closed but most steadily expanded their role and became state colleges in the early 20th century and state universities in the late 20th century. It is the second oldest campus in the California State University system. As of the fall 2020 semester, the university had a total enrollment of 16,630 students. The university offers 126 bachelor's degree programs, 35 master's degree programs, and four types of teaching credentials. Chico is a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI).

Location
Chico, CA, 95929-0150 · City campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
SMF · Sacramento
73 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
In-stateOut-of-state
Tuition & fees$8,472$21,072
Housing & food (on campus)$16,500$16,500
Books & supplies$1,096$1,096
Cost of attendance$26,283$40,060
Average net price$14,480Not published
Out-of-state prices
Tuition & fees$21,072
In-state: $8,472
Housing & food (on campus)$16,500
Books & supplies$1,096
Cost of attendance$40,060
In-state: $26,283
Average net priceNot published
In-state: $14,480
Source: U.S. College Scorecard · published total: www.csuchico.edu
How it’s made up · out-of-state, 2026-27
California State University-Chico’s own figures for 2026-27, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.
Tuition$18,142
Fees$2,506
Housing$9,628
Food$5,992
Books & supplies$1,174
Personal expenses$2,640
Transportation$768
Total published by the school$40,060
Net price by family income · in-state students, 2023-24
$0–30k
$9,902
$30–48k
$10,099
$48–75k
$12,961
$75–110k
$16,506
$110k+
$23,566
Merit aid · 2025-26
Awarded without financial need. Students with financial need can get merit awards too; they're counted as need-based aid.
Average award$3,609
First-years who got one260
Source: California State University-Chico's Common Data Set — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures (PDF).
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
63%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
36%
Back for yr 2
82%
Transferred
4%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
68% graduated · 22% transferred · 1% still enrolled · 10% left or unknown
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$50,493
10 yrs after entry$64,172
Debt
Median at graduation$16,552
Monthly payment$175
Middle 50% owe$7k–$22.7k
90th percentile$29,596
Green marks a figure above the typical Master's (larger programs): 54% graduate within 6 yrs, $55,177 earned 10 yrs after entry.
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
93%
Test policy
Not required
Per College Scorecard

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Essay prompts

If California State University-Chico asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the school's application.

Student Body
Gender
Men 44%Women 56%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
23 : 1
Pell grant
43%
First-gen
47%
Family income
$30,780
Independent
24%
Veterans
0%
Age at entry
22.0
Part-time
9%
Race & ethnicity
White
41%
Hispanic
39%
Black
3%
Asian
5%
Two or more
6%
Non-resident
1%
Unknown
4%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division II without football · EADA 2024-25
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Cross Country
    Men's · Women's
  • Golf
    Men's · Women's
  • Soccer
    Men's · Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Track and Field (Outdoor)
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Women's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$50,493
After 10 yrs
$64,172
Business Administration, Management and Operations503
Psychology, General313
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities184
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness180
Sociology158
Criminal Justice and Corrections152
Public Health122
Construction Engineering Technology/Technician116
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing113
Animal Sciences98
Communication and Media Studies94
Biology, General89
Mechanical Engineering88
Design and Applied Arts85
Computer and Information Sciences, General78
Agricultural Business and Management69
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$100M
Full-time faculty
56%
Faculty salary
$11,664/mo
Teaching spend
$8,907
per student
Federal loans
32%
Classification
Carnegie type
Master's (larger programs)
Research activity
Research college or university
$9M research spending
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, inclusive admissions

Wondering if California State University-Chico is the right fit for you?

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