California State University-Chico

California State University-Chico

Chico, CA, USA

Founded as a teachers college in 1887, California State University-Chico is a 4-year public school in northern California and the second oldest campus in the California State University system. Chico State is home to 10 colleges and schools conferring bachelor’s degrees in 66 academic majors. In addition to its academic offerings, Chico State publishes The Orion, a student-run weekly newspaper which has won the National Pacemaker Award more than 10 times. To promote sustainability, all of Chico State’s campus computer labs feature Energy-saving software endorsed by The Alliance to Save Energy’s Green Campus program. 

Admissions

Key Admissions Stats

Institution Type
Public
  • Not for Profit
  • Coed

Need Aware

This school may consider an applicant’s financial situation when deciding admission

Level of Institution
4 Year
Campus Setting
Small city
0
100
85%
Acceptance Rate

Admissions Requirements

SAT
SAT is not checked
No
ACT
ACT is not checked
No
Transcript
Transcript is not checked
No

Important Deadlines

Application TypeApplication DeadlineReply Deadline
Fall Regular DecisionDecember 15May 1
OtherJune 30

Admitted Student Stats

In-State Students
98%
Out-Of-State Students
1%
24%
Submitting ACT
90%
Submitting SAT
Average ACT Composite: 20
0
36
Average SAT Composite: 1089
0
1600

Academics

Key Academic Stats

Highest Degree Offered
Master's
Total Number of Students
15,702
Total Number of Undergrads
14,462
Academic Calendar

Semester

See your fit
Classroom Sizes

2-19 Students
28%
20-39 Students
46%
40-99 Students
21%
100+ Students
2%
0
100
30%
Graduate in 4 Years US National: 28%
0
100
67%
Graduate in 6 Years US National: 52%
Student:Faculty Ratio
22:1
US National: 21:1

Tuition, Cost & Aid

Key Financial Stats

Average Net Price
$16,109
Calculate your net cost
Tuition
In-State Tuition In-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. In-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school and may be a lower rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution.
$7,972
Out-of-State Tuition Out-of-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the state’s or institution’s residency requirements. Out-of-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students not residing in the locality in which they attend school.
$19,852
Additional Costs
Room and Board The weighted average for room and board and other expenses is generated as follows:
  • (amount for on-campus room, board and other expenses * # of students living on-campus.
  • + amount for off-campus (with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus with family
  • + amount for off-campus (not with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus not with family)
divided by the total # of students. Students whose living arrangements are unknown are excluded from the calculation. For some institutions the # of students by living arrangement will be known, but dollar amounts will not be known. In this case the # of students with no corresponding dollar amount will be excluded from the denominator.
$15,212
Books and Supplies
$1210

Aid & Grants

0
100
62%
Need Met
Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid. Federal gift aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
44%
Average Aid Per Year
$8,892
Students Receiving Grants Percent of undergraduate students awarded grant aid. Grant aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
44%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$5,230
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$5,750

Student Loans

Students Borrowing Loans Loans to students - Any monies that must be repaid to the lending institution for which the student is the designated borrower. Includes all Title IV subsidized and unsubsidized loans and all institutionally- and privately-sponsored loans. Does not include PLUS and other loans made directly to parents.
43%
Average Loan Amount Per Year
$5,619
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$14,500
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$162

Campus Life

Key Campus Stats

Student Gender
Male
Female
46%
54%
Student Organizations
152
Size of Town
Small city
LGBTQIA Student Resource Groups
LGBTQIA Student Resource Groups is not checked
No
On Campus Women's Center
On Campus Women's Center is checked
Yes

Housing

0
100
2%
Undergrads Living on Campus
On-campus living required of freshman
No

Athletics

Divisional Sports Nickname
Wildcats
School Colors
cardinal and white
Varsity Athletics Association
NCAA
Varsity Athletics Conference Primary
Not applicable

Campus Safety

24-HR security patrol
24-HR security patrol is checked
Yes
Campus emergency phones
Campus emergency phones is checked
Yes

After Graduation

Post Grad Stats

Top 5 Cities
San Francisco
Chico
Sacramento
Los Angeles
San Diego
Employed
6 mos. after graduation
52%
Average Salary
6 years after graduation
$55,400

What Students Are Saying

This is a green campus and is full of open-mined people that are kind and caring. The city surrounding the school is beautiful and though it is considered a 'party city' you don't have to be a party person. Their is almost no pressure to do something your not comfortable with and much of the focus of the school is based on your academics.
First Year Student
Chico State has a lot to offer for a wide variety of students. It's diverse atmosphere offers a comforting academic and social environment. Chico State's intersecting creek will keep you mesmerized at just how beautiful nature is.
Juan from Chico, CA
Chico is a tiny college town that is surrounded by adventures that open up your mind about the world. Bidwell Park located in Chico and walking distance from the campus is where I go to do my homework. Once I am done with my homework have multiple things I can do at this park, go for a swim, slip on my running shoes for a run, attempt multiple hikes and some of the greatest bike rides that you will remember for the rest of your life.
Jeffery from Tracy, CA
Chico State is great university with lots of opportunities for students who come from low-income families. They care very much about their students and provide programs such as the food pantry and Cal-fresh for those who are dealing with food insecurity. They have many majors and it is possible to double major or get a major and a minor in four years.
Maria from San Jose, CA