Colleges by Location
Colleges by Fields of Study
Colleges by Tuition Range
Colleges by GPA Range
College by SAT Range
Colleges by ACT Score
Graduate Schools by Location
Graduate Schools by Fields of Study
Graduate School by Degree Type
Paying for Graduate School
Online Graduate Programs
Test Preparation
Career Planning
College Planning
Graduate School Planning
Applying to Graduate School
Engineering Careers
- More
Chico , CA
California State University, Chico, commonly known as CSU Chico, is a public university located in the city of Chico, California. Established in 1887, it is the second oldest campus in the California State University system. CSU Chico offers over 400 undergraduate and graduate degree programs across various disciplines, including agriculture, business, communications, education, engineering, health sciences, and the liberal arts. With a student population of around 17,000, it provides a vibrant and close-knit community where students can engage in various extracurricular activities, academic organizations, and cultural events.
CSU Chico is known for its exceptional faculty who are not only committed to teaching but also emphasize practical experience and critical thinking. The university focuses on fostering hands-on learning opportunities, encouraging undergraduate research, and promoting engagement with the local community. Through these initiatives, students gain valuable real-world experience and develop the skills necessary for successful careers after graduation.
Additionally, CSU Chico takes pride in its beautiful campus and surroundings. Located in the foothills of Northern California's Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, the university offers stunning views and ample opportunities for outdoor activities. The university's commitment to sustainability is reflected in its LEED-certified buildings, renewable energy initiatives, and numerous programs aimed at reducing environmental impact. Furthermore, the city of Chico provides a supportive and lively atmosphere with a vibrant downtown, outdoor recreation areas, and a welcoming community. Overall, California State University, Chico offers a well-rounded education, engaging campus life, and a picturesque environment.
Located in Chico, CA, California State University, Chico is a public four-year college. This school follows a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 91%. The freshman retention rate at California State University, Chico is 81.4% and the six-year graduation rate is 63%.
For freshmen, the application deadline for this school is December 15. The transfer application deadline is December 15.
Learn more about what California State University, Chico has to offer based on the most recent data this institution has reported.
Quick Facts
13,392
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
22:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
63%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
In order to maximize your chances of getting admitted, you need to know as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission. Read on to find out some essential data about admission at California State University, Chico.
In 2025, the school accepted 21,623 new students. As far as admission difficulty is considered, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is moderately difficult to get into.
Test Scores
2% of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students submitted their SAT scores for admission, and 0.5% submitted ACT scores, out of the overall number of those who submitted test scores. 8% of the new students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 28% between 1,200 and 1,399, 34% between 1,000 and 1,199, 28% of the students between 800 and 999, and 2% between 600 and 799. The percent of freshmen who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 24-29 was 42.9 and 57.1 in the range between 18-23.
The latest reported average GPA of the enrolled students was 3.39. That means that you need a GPA that's above average in order to get into California State University, Chico.
Deadlines
Be sure to apply to this school by December 15. If you are applying for a transfer, the application deadline is December 15.
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is the percentage of college or university newcomers who return for their sophomore year. Why is that metric important? Because it tells you if the majority of freshmen enjoyed their first year at a school enough to come back.
The freshman retention rate for California State University, Chico was 81.4% in 2025, which is considered an above-average retention rate and is indicative of the quality of educational experience at this school.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. At this school, the rate of students graduating within six years is 63%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
Deciding if a school is the right fit for you is not an easy task. Knowing more about the student population can help you get a better understanding of the school's culture and life.
Main Student Body
The overall number of students enrolled at California State University, Chico in 2025 was 14,581.
That year, the school had 4% of out-of-state students. There was a total of 13,392 students pursuing undergraduate degrees, including 149 international students. The school reported to have a total of 1,960 transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
With a coeducational student body, the school had 5,670 male and 7,319 female full-time students in 2025.
Student Population Diversity
Higher Education is dedicated to increasing student diversity and enhancing students' feelings of inclusion and belonging. In a diverse learning space, you will be exposed to people from different backgrounds, which promotes the feeling of inclusion and acceptance. Discover more about the many ethnic communities that go to this school.
This school had 710 Asian students and 399 Afro-American students in 2025. 5,170 students at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 758 as multirace. The school also had 29 students who identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 65 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 474 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
The financial aspect is one of the most important things to consider before applying to any college or university. The latest information on the expenses that most students at this school incur are detailed below.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some numbers that can help you better understand the estimated tuition fees for this university.
For the students who live in the area, the tuition cost was $6,450, as reported by public county or municipal institutions. For out-of-state students, tuition fees amounted to $19,552. If you are an international student at California State University, Chico, you should know that the 2025 tuition came to $19,552, as well. Fees per academic year required of full-time students came to a total of $2,446 in 2025.
| Category | Tuition | Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $19,552 | $2,446 | $21,998 |
| In-State | $6,450 | $2,446 | $8,896 |
Books and Supplies
When you try to estimate the cost of attendance for a college or university, you need to consider the cost of books and supplies you're going to need. The estimated cost of books and supplies for a full-time student of this school is $1,122.
Boarding
The cost of dorm rooms and meals in the school's cafeteria is for sure something to take into consideration. What is the typical amount colleges and universities charge for lodging and meals?
The cost of room and board (on campus) per academic year at California State University, Chico was $16,668 in 2025. Room-only (on campus) cost per academic year at this school came to $9,568, according to the data from 2025.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 6,450 |
| Room and Board | $ 16,668 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,122 |
| Total Expense | $ 24,240 |
Financial Aid
Grants, loans, scholarships, work-study programs: these are all different types of financial support available to students. Check out some recent data to get the information about need-based and non-need-based aid you might get at California State University, Chico.
The most recent records show that 1,173 freshmen received some sort of financial help. The average amount of financial aid given to students was $11,946.
Need-based
If you need help with paying for your studies and you meet some eligibility requirements, you may be eligible for need-based aid.
There were 6,109 students who attained need-based financial aid of any kind. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at California State University, Chico isn't available to international students. The total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was found to be 7,204. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution reached $32,877,150, and state $21,501,269. The students of California State University, Chico received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $18,784,628, and external in the amount of $2,836,430.
$4,044
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based financial aid is any type of financial aid provided to a student who does not meet the criteria for need-based aid. Most students get non-need-based financial aid as Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the TEACH Grant.
261 students, including freshmen, obtained institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid at this institution in 2025. 103 full-time freshmen were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $413,073. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $616,966 USD.
Majors
Faculty
22:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Knowing more about a school's faculty can help you gauge the caliber of the education it can provide to you.
In 2025, this ratio at California State University, Chico was 22:1. That means that there were 22 times more students than teachers at this school. The total number of faculty teaching at the institution is 883. Out of that number, there were 408 male and 475 female faculty members. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school speaks volumes for gender equality at California State University, Chico.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
It is not all about learning and grades at California State University, Chico: campus life is a crucial component of your educational experience. Check out some information about social life at California State University, Chico.
It has a campus size of 119 acres.
Student Organizations
Being a member of a student organization will make you connect better with your fellow students and enjoy your college years more.
There are 150 student organizations and groups with open membership at this school. This number includes sororities and fraternities. 1 percent of male and 1 of female students are active in different organizations at California State University, Chico. The student organization that has the biggest membership is Omicron Theta Epsilon, followed by NSLS and SAE Baja Club. Other popular organizations at California State University, Chico are CRU and Christian Challenge.
For students with a talent for acting, there is a drama club. You have a passion for media and communication? California State University, Chico publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
California State University, Chico has a number of services necessary for a comfortable and secure life on campus.
24/7 emergency phone and alarm devices are available. The school has electronically operated dormitory entrances. There is a 24-hour security patrol. The after-hours transportation/escort service is available.
This school has a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Legal Services, Veteran's Affairs and Women's Center are available to the students of California State University, Chico.
All in all, campus life at California State University, Chico is rich and vibrant and provides all you need for a comfortable stay.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at California State University, Chico.
Career Counselling
At California State University, Chico, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be excellent for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
Job Placement
Having an understanding of the anticipated earnings after completing your education can be important in evaluating if a certain institution is compatible with your professional goals.
The average base annual starting salary of the students who were employed within six months of graduation at this school is 56,500 USD.
$56,500
Average Starting Salary After 6 Months of Graduation
FAQ
-
California State University, Chico is located in Chico, CA.
-
California State University, Chico doesn't offer need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
-
According to the latest information, the acceptance rate for California State University, Chico is 91%.
-
According to the latest information, the freshman retention rate for California State University, Chico is 81.4%.
Contact Information
California State University, Chico
400 W. First St
Chico , CA
95929-0722
530 898-4636
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
Find the best schools for you.
Need help with choosing grad school? We got you.
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.