Overview
Enrollment
| Location | Chico, California |
| Online | csuchico.edu |
| School Type | Public 4 Year |
| Setting | Small City |
| Size | Mid-size |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad/Graduate |
California State University, Chico sits in the Sacramento Valley town of Chico, approximately 90 miles north of Sacramento. Founded in 1887 as the Northern Branch of the State Normal School, it is the second-oldest campus in the California State University system and operates from a 119-acre main campus featuring brick buildings and mature trees in a residential setting. The university maintains a competitive admission process for its undergraduate programs, with particular academic strength in business administration, nursing, engineering, and agriculture, reflecting the regional agricultural economy of the northern Sacramento Valley. Students typically reside in on-campus housing during their first year, with many upperclassmen moving to the surrounding downtown Chico neighborhood, while the university competes in NCAA Division II athletics as the Wildcats.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
CSU is rated within the lower 46% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 5 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for California State University Chico within the 2024 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#659 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#221 in Best Public Colleges in the U.S.
#44 in Best Colleges in California
#15 in Best Public Colleges in California
#62 in Best Value Colleges in California
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 970/1170 |
| ACT | 18/24 |
| GPA | 3.37 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | Dec 15, 2024 |
| Applicant Competition | Very Low |
| Application Fee | $70 |
Annual Cost to Attend
California Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,210 |
| Other Fees | $2,230 |
| Room and Board | $15,212 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $2,334 |
| Total One Year Cost | $26,728 |
Out of State Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,210 |
| Other Fees | $2,230 |
| Room and Board | $15,212 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $2,334 |
| Total One Year Cost | $38,608 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Business | 17% |
| Social Sciences | 9% |
| Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies | 8% |
| Visual and Performing Arts | 8% |
| Health Professions | 8% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering CSU are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=110538 IPEDS survey data for California State University Chico.
Current students may use the California State University Chico GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2024