Chico State Description

Founded over 130 years ago as a training center for teachers, California State University at Chico has grown to become a comprehensive university with excellent undergraduate academics and one of the finest public graduate schools in the west.

CSU Chico’s most popular majors are Business Administration, Elementary Education and Psychology, but the school offers more than 150 undergraduate programs of study.

Additionally, the university’s graduate school has over 25 master’s degree programs available, including unique concentrations like Recreation Management and Hydrology.

With an enrollment that typically exceeds 15,000, Cal State Chico’s campus is a bustling community. Student life at CSU Chico provides access to more than 220 clubs and organizations, as well as several opportunities for civic engagement. For example, Community Action Volunteers in Education creates chances for students at the university to volunteer locally.

Federal programs are CSU Chico’s main source of financial aid, but the university also funds several scholarships. The criteria for these awards vary, but may include academic, athletic or artistic achievement, as well as need.

Some awards require separate application, while others, like the CSU Chico President’s Scholarship, are given automatically to students who meet the academic requirements.

Quick Facts

Location

Southwest

Setting

Large Town Setting

Type

Public

Size

Very Large (+10,000 Undergrad)

Mascot

Wildcats

Nickname

Chico State

On-Campus Housing Available

Yes

In-State Tuition

$5,336

Out-of-State Tuition

$16,496

Selectivity

Selective

Enrollment

16,917

Chico State Students

Full-Time Undergrad Students
15,803
Freshman Class
2,765
Total Students (Undergrads & Graduate Students)
16,917

Undergraduate vs. Graduate

Undergraduate
93%
Graduate
7%

Full-Time vs. Part-time Students

Full-Time
98%
Part-Time
2%

Students Coming From In-State vs. Out-of-State

In-State
96%
Out-of-State
4%

Gender of Students

Women
52%
Men
48%

Ethnic Diversity

African-American
2%
Asian
5%
Caucasian
65%
Latino
13%
Other
15%

Students State Origin

California
96%
Other
4%

International Students

International
3%
Domestic
97%