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California State University-Chico

Chico, CA·Public·www.csuchico.edu/

Campus Identity

NCAA D2Greek LifeGraduate Programs

California State University-Chico is a mid-size public university in Chico, CA. Approximately 13,631 students are enrolled. Admissions are accessible with a 93% acceptance rate. Lake Oroville is about 15 miles from campus. Greek life is active on campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 66/100 (Pretty Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

At a Glance

California State University-Chico is a mid-size public university in Chico, CA. Approximately 13,631 students are enrolled. Admissions are accessible with a 93% acceptance rate. Lake Oroville is about 15 miles from campus. Greek life is active on campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 66/100 (Pretty Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

93%
Acceptance Rate
23,322 applications
Test Optional
Test Policy
No test scores required
$8,472
2024-25 Tuition
In-state rate
$14,480
Avg Net Price
What students actually pay
$14,048
Room & Board
13,631
Total Enrollment
Undergraduate students
10%
Yield Rate
Admitted students who enrolled
63%
Graduation Rate
Within 150% of normal time
Selectivity93% · Open
Highly SelectiveOpen

This school does not require standardized test scores for admission. SAT and ACT submissions are optional.

Campus Lifestyle

California State University-Chico is a 10,000–19,999, urban school with NCAA D2 athletics and a small greek presence Greek scene. The campus is 80 miles from Snow Schoolers @ Kingvale.

Athletics

NCAA D2

California Collegiate Athletic Association

Greek Life

Small Greek Presence

1% frats · 1% sororities

School Size & Setting

10,000–19,999

Urban setting

Weather

Warm Climate

57°F avg school-year

Nearby Ski Resorts

California State University-Chico students have access to 3 ski resorts within driving distance. The closest is Snow Schoolers @ Kingvale, 80 miles away. All are within 81 miles of campus.

80 mi away
80 mi away
81 mi away
1,650 skiable acres12 lifts

Nearby Lake

Lake Oroville is 15 miles from campus, giving California State University-Chico students access to boating, swimming, and waterfront recreation.

Lake Oroville

Lake access within 15.0 miles

15 mi away

Average Monthly Temperature

1991–2020 Climate Normals · Chico, CA

Chico has a mild climate, with winters averaging 46°F in Jan and summers peaking around 78°F in Jul.

46°Jan50°Feb54°Mar59°Apr67°May73°Jun78°Jul77°Aug73°Sep64°Oct52°Nov46°Dec

Station: CHICO UNIVERSITY FARM · Source: NOAA NCEI

On Campus Safety Score

2021–2023 U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security data normalized per 1,000 students

California State University-Chico in CA earns a composite safety score of 66/100, rated Pretty Safe among U.S. colleges.

66/100
Pretty Safe
PersonalSafetyPropertySafetyParty SceneSafety587472
58/100
Personal
assault, rape, stalking, dating and domestic violence
74/100
Property
burglary, vehicle theft, arson
72/100
Party Scene
drug, alcohol & weapons enforcement

On Campus Safety data from the U.S. Dept. of Education Clery Act Database, normalized per 1,000 enrolled students. Higher scores indicate a safer environment. Review detailed data on the U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security website.

Cost Breakdown

2024-25 academic year. Tuition: College Scorecard. Fees and room & board: IPEDS/NCES.

Tuition
$8,472$21,072
Fees
$2,122$2,122
Room & Board
$14,048$14,048
Total
$24,642$37,242
In-StateOut-of-State
App Fee: $70
$14,480avg net price / year

What students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.

Calculate your personalized net price

Fields of Study

122 programs offered

Most Popular Programs

Business Administration, Management and OperationsBachelor's
503 grads/yr$72,651
Psychology, GeneralBachelor's
313 grads/yr$52,621
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and HumanitiesBachelor's
184 grads/yr$55,008
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/FitnessBachelor's
180 grads/yr$52,978
SociologyBachelor's
158 grads/yr$52,323

Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.

Computer Science
Bachelor's66 grads$127,498
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
Bachelor's113 grads$117,543
Business Administration, Management and Operations
Master's122 grads$109,161
Construction Management
Bachelor's$108,021
Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians
Bachelor's$106,225
Engineering, Other
Bachelor's30 grads$103,272
Computer Engineering
Bachelor's8 grads$97,345
Mechanical Engineering
Bachelor's88 grads$93,555
Civil Engineering
Bachelor's58 grads$92,472
Computer and Information Sciences, General
Bachelor's78 grads$91,059

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect graduates working and not enrolled full-time. Data suppressed (shown as —) for programs with fewer than 30 graduates. Most recent available year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is California State University-Chico located?

California State University-Chico is located in Chico, CA. The main campus address is First and Normal Sts, Chico, CA. It is a public institution offering 4-year degree programs.

What is the acceptance rate at California State University-Chico?

California State University-Chico has an acceptance rate of 93%, making it accessible. Out of 23,322 applicants, 21,623 were admitted in the most recent year. 13,631 students enrolled.

How much does it cost to attend California State University-Chico?

For the 2024-25 academic year, California State University-Chico charges $8,472/year for in-state students and $21,072/year for out-of-state students. Including room and board ($14,048/year), the total estimated cost is approximately $19,744/year. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $14,480/year — what students actually pay. Use California State University-Chico's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.

What is the application fee for California State University-Chico?

The undergraduate application fee at California State University-Chico is $70. Check the admissions website for fee waiver eligibility.

Does California State University-Chico have college sports?

Yes — California State University-Chico competes at the NCAA D2 level in the California Collegiate Athletic Association. Division II programs offer athletic scholarships and competitive sports programs while balancing academics and athletics.

Is California State University-Chico the right fit for me?

Whether California State University-Chico is right for you depends on your academic goals, budget, lifestyle preferences, and career aspirations. Key factors to consider: admissions selectivity (93% admit rate), avg net price ($14,480/year after aid), campus culture in Chico, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh California State University-Chico against similar schools side-by-side.

Tuition: College Scorecard (2024-25). Fees, room & board, and other data: IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with California State University-Chico directly for the most current information.

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Start your application at the official website.

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Quick Facts

Type
Public
Location
Chico, CA
Size
10,000–19,999
Degrees Offered
Bachelor's, Master's
NCAA
NCAA D2
Conference
California Collegiate Athletic Association
School Year Weather
Warm · 57°F avg
App Fee
$70
On Campus Safety Score
66/100
Nearest Airport
Red Bluff, CA (RBL) · 36 mialso MYV (46 mi), BAB (46 mi)

Location

Chico, CA

Data Sources: Admissions, cost, and enrollment data sourced from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) (NCES, 2024 survey year). Fields of Study data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. On Campus Safety Score computed from Clery Act data (U.S. Dept. of Education, 3-year average normalized per 1,000 students). Data may not reflect most recent changes. Always verify with the institution directly.