CSU Admission Requirements
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- Chico, CA
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CSU Admission Overview
CSU admission requirements are summarized from last year's class. Last year CSU admitted 92.7% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.37 GPA (B+). CSU is test-free. SAT and ACT are not used for admission. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
CSU is test-free for 2026-27. SAT and ACT are not used, even if you send them.
CSU Acceptance Rate
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance rate Share of applicants offered admission last year.
Admission Standards Measure of enrolled testers' SAT/ACT scores vs. other colleges.
Applicant Competition Measure of this school's acceptance rate vs. other colleges. A low acceptance rate indicates high competition.
Very Low
Admission difficulty for California State University Chico
Acceptance Rate
The CSU acceptance rate is 92.7%. Last year, 21,623 of 23,322 applicants were admitted. That is the 83rd lowest acceptance rate in California.
Admission Selectivity
How hard is it to get into CSU and can you get accepted?
CSU is an easy school to get into, admitting most applicants. You have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.
California State University Chico typically attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.37. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 10% of those admitted chose to enroll.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
CSU GPA
GPA of enrolled freshmen
Avg. High School GPA The average high school GPA for incoming freshmen on a 4.0 scale.
3.37Typical High School Grades Letter grade on a 4.0 scale for last year's average, not a cutoff.
B+Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.37
Average GPA
Enrolled freshmen at CSU typically have around a 3.37 GPA (B+) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have above average high school grades. CSU is test-free, so GPA is the main academic number in the file.
The school ranks #62 in California for highest average GPA.
See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.4 GPA range.
Competitiveness by GPA Ranges
Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.
GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024
CSU Test Policy
Test Submission Requirements
California State University, Chico does not consider SAT or ACT scores for first-year admission in the 2026-27 cycle. The California State University no longer uses ACT or SAT examinations in determining admission eligibility at any CSU campus. If you are accepted, SAT or ACT scores can be used as one of the measures to place you in mathematics and written communication courses. You may report your ACT or College Board ID on Cal State Apply; scores sent to one CSU campus are available to every CSU campus you apply to.
Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://www.calstate.edu/apply/freshman/getting_into_the_csu/pages/testing-requirements.aspx
CSU SAT Scores
SAT scores of enrolled freshmen
SAT Range The middle 50% of enrolled testers from the last year SAT scores were reported. The maximum score is 1600.
970-1170Freshmen who sent SAT Share of enrolled freshmen who submitted SAT scores, from the last year SAT scores were reported.
89%25th Percentile Scores
- Reading 490
- Math 480
- Composite 970
75th Percentile Scores
- Reading 590
- Math 580
- Composite 1170
Average SAT
Enrolled testers at CSU typically score around a 1070 SAT (middle 50% 970–1170) out of 1600. These figures are from the last year SAT scores were reported, not a cutoff. SAT is not used for admission, even if you send it. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 53rd percentile nationally. CSU ranks #51 in the state of California for highest average SAT composite score.
SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 970 to 1170
View other colleges which accept students in the 1070 SAT score range.
SAT scores are from the last year they were reported to IPEDS. They are not used for admission.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
CSU ACT Scores
ACT scores among enrolled freshmen
ACT Range Mid-50 ACT composite among enrolled testers in the last year ACT scores were reported. The scale tops out at 36.
18-24Freshmen reporting ACT Percent of enrolled freshmen who reported ACT, from the last year ACT scores were reported.
36%25th Percentile Scores
- English 16
- Math 17
- Composite 18
75th Percentile Scores
- English 24
- Math 24
- Composite 24
Average ACT
Incoming testers at CSU typically have around a 21 ACT (mid-50 18–24) on the 36 scale. These numbers come from the last year ACT scores were reported, not a minimum for admission. ACT is not considered, even if you submit it. That average sits near the 57th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. CSU places #45 among colleges in California for highest average ACT composite.
ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 18 to 24
See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 21.0 ACT score range.
ACT figures reflect the last year they were reported to IPEDS. They are not used in admission.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Estimate How You Compare
Compare your GPA with last year's enrolled class and this school's acceptance rate. SAT and ACT are not used.
Open the CSU chances calculatorApplying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Application Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to California State University Chico and what student information is used for admission decisions?
Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Fall 2026 Application Deadline
Applications Due
Dec 15, 2026Days left to Apply
106Applicants have 106 days left until the Fall 2026 term applications are due on Dec 15, 2026.
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to California State University Chico is $70.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Credits Accepted
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Admission summary
CSU is test-free for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 92.7% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.37 GPA (about an B+ average). Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Other Colleges to Apply To
Students applying to California State University Chico often consider these colleges
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Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=110538.
GPA calculator: California State University Chico GPA calculator.
Last updated: August 2026