In 2011, Chico State mechanical engineering students won first place in speed endurance and second in utility endurance in the Human Powered Vehicle Challenge West Coast Competition. Chico also won national titles in 1987, 1998, and 2006. More Best of Chico State
Planning & Goals
College Portrait
- To view more information on the Chico State Community, the Chico State Experience, and the characteristics of the University check out our College Portrait.
Contact Information
Quick Facts
- Our students come from 43 nations, 36 states, and 2 U.S. territories.
- 52% of Chico students are female; 48% male.
- Read more quick facts
Largest Majors
Rankings
- Chico State ranked sixth among master’s level public universities in the western United States in the 2011 edition of “America’s Best Colleges” from U.S. News & World Report.
- For the third consecutive year, the Princeton Review included Chico State in its listing of “Best Business Schools” in 2010.
- Yahoo News listed Chico State as one of the top five ‘Green’ Colleges in America in September 2011.
History
In 1887 the California Legislature approved the creation of the Northern Branch of the State Normal School for the purpose of training and educating teachers. After much debate over which city would be selected for the new school site, Chico was chosen and construction began on the Chico Normal School, which opened its doors to 90 students in 1889. Throughout the years, the college grew and its name changed to reflect that growth—from Chico Normal School to Chico State Teachers College to Chico State College. In 1972, we became known as California State University, Chico. The University, commonly called "Chico State," now offers more than 100 undergraduate majors and options. Learn more about our history and traditions.
The main campus is situated on 119 acres in downtown Chico, but Chico State also owns a 1,050–acre farm and five acres of off-campus dorms about one mile from the main campus. The University also manages 3,950–acre Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve and the 300–acre Butte Creek Ecological Reserve.
Visitor Center
The best way to learn about Chico State is to visit campus! Whether you have a few minutes or a few days, please enjoy your time on campus and experience all that Chico State has to offer.
