Chico Facts
Quick Facts | Students | Ten Largest Majors | Faculty & Staff | Academic Programs | Fees | CSU, Chico's History | Programs, Facilities, and Services | Chico Geographical Facts | Chico Community
Quick Facts
- California State University, Chico
(popularly called "Chico State") - Founded: 1887
- President: Paul J. Zingg
- Student/Faculty ratio: 25 to 1
- Average Undergraduate Class Size: 31
- Campus Acreage: Main campus 119 acres; University Farm 800 acres; Ecological Reserves 2,330 acres
- Total General Fund Budget, including revenue: $169,705,243
- Location: 90 miles north of Sacramento; 174 miles northeast of San Francisco
- Service Counties: Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Plumas, Shasta, Siskiyou, Sutter, Tehama, Trinity, Yuba
- School Mascot: Wildcat
- School Colors: Cardinal and White
- Alumni/ae: 132,000
Students
(Fall 2012)
Full-time Equivalent students 15,257
(FTE: total number of course hours enrolled in during a particular semester, divided by 15 for undergraduates; divided by 12 for graduate students)
Number of total students 16,470
Freshmen: 3,931 (2,714 first-time; 1,217 transfer or continuing) (24%)
Sophomores: 1,974 (12%)
Juniors: 3,847 (23%)
Seniors: 5,535 (34%)
Postbaccalaureate Students: 1,183 (7%)
Age
CSU, Chico Average (undergraduate and graduate): 24
Undergraduate Average: 23
American Indian: 0.7%
Asian: 5.5%
Black/African American: 1.8%
Hispanic/Latino: 19.4%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0.2%
White: 55.4%
Two or More Races/Ethnicities: 4.4%
Declined to State: 8.7%
Non-resident Alien: 3.8%
Gender
Female: 53%
Male: 47%
Student Profile
Our students come from 46 nations, 37 states, and 2 U.S. territories.
95% of the total student population comes from California: 32.5% from CSU, Chico's service area; 23% from the rest of Northern California; 23.3% from Central California; 16% from Southern California. 5.2% are out-of-state or international students.
All students are members of the Associated Students of CSU, Chico, a multimillion-dollar corporation managed by students. The AS is responsible for the Student Government, the Chico State Wildcat Store, Information Center, Adventure Outings, the student union (Bell Memorial Union), and other services for students, including CAVE (student volunteer program), Child Development Lab (campus daycare), CLIC (community legal services), and EARC (Environmental Action and Resources Center).
Student publications include The Chico Historian academic journal and The Orion newspaper.
Freshman Profile
Average High School GPA: 3.34 (admits) / 3.23 (enrolled)
Mean SAT Scores (Composite): 1059 (admits) / 1037 (enrolled)
Ten Largest Majors
Based on current number of students officially declaring majors.
- Business Administration 1,528
- Psychology 879
- Liberal Studies (elementary school teaching) 684
- Criminal Justice 513
- Kinesiology 434
- Pre-Nursing 409
- Exercise Physiology 381
- Recreation Administration 380
- Construction Management 356
- Communication Studies 350
Bachelor's Degrees Granted
Based on actual number of degrees granted during the 2011–12 academic year.
- Business Administration 573
- Liberal Studies (elementary school teaching) 236
- Psychology 219
- Construction Management 160
- Recreation Administration 148
- Communication Design 107
- Communication Studies 107
- Nursing 99
- Criminal Justice 89
- Exercise Physiology 86
Faculty & Staff
(Fall 2012)
Instructional Faculty 862*
- Full-time Faculty: 52%
- Part-time Faculty: 48%
Full-time Faculty with Doctorates/Terminal Degrees 84%
Staff 931*
* Coaches, librarians, and others who have faculty status but primarily engage in non-instructional functions are counted as staff rather than instructional faculty.
Ethnicity - Instructional Faculty
American Indian/Alaska Native: 0.6%
Asian: 7.5%
Black/African American: 0.9%
Hispanic/Latino: 4.1%
Two or More Ethnicities: 0.7%
White: 81.4%
Not Specified: 4.8%
American Indian/Alaska Native: 1%
Asian: 3.1%
Black/African American: 2.7%
Hispanic/Latino: 7.8%
Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Island: 0.2%
Two or More Ethnicities: 1.8%
White: 78.5%
Not Specified: 4.8%
Gender - Instructional Faculty
Female: 47%
Male: 53%
Gender - Staff
Female: 56%
Male: 44%
Academic Programs
CSU, Chico has 7 colleges, 5 schools, and 28 centers:
- College of Behavioral and Social Sciences
- College of Business
- College of Communication and Education
- School of Communication
- School of Education
- College of Engineering, Computer Science, and Construction Management
- College of Humanities and Fine Arts
- College of Natural Sciences
Centers and Institutes
Agribusiness InstituteAgricultural Teaching and Research Center
American Language and Culture Institute
California Pavement Preservation Center
Center for Applied and Professional Ethics
Center for Bilingual/Multicultural Studies
Center for Communication Disorders
Center for Corporate Governance and Values-Based Leadership
Center for Economic Development
Center for Entrepreneurship
Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching
Center for Information Systems Research
Center for Mathematics and Science Education
Center for Nutrition and Activity Promotion
Center for Regional and Continuing Education
Center for the Study of Computers in Education
Center for Water and the Environment
Community Legal Information Center
Geographical Information Center
Humanities Center
Institute for Research in Intelligent Systems
Institute for Sustainable Development
Interdisciplinary Center on Aging
McLeod Institute of Simulation Sciences
Northeast Information Center
Northern California Local Government Leadership Institute
Passages Adult Resource Center
Peace Institute
Reading Center
Center for the Public Understanding of Religion
Fall 2013
- Bachelor of Arts Programs 38
- Bachelor of Science Programs 31
- BA and BS Options (within the Major) 91
- Master of Arts Programs 15
- Master of Science Programs 13
- MA and MS Options (within the Major) 17
- Minors 99
- Certificate Programs 31
- Professional Education Credential Programs 15
- Other Programs Offered:
- Bachelor of Fine Arts
- Master of Business Administration
- Master of Fine Arts
- Master of Public Administration
- Master of Social Work
- Pre-Professional Programs in Dental Hygiene, Dentistry, Forensic Science, Forestry, Law, Medicine, Optometry, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy, Theology, and Veterinary Medicine
- The Honors Program offers special opportunities for motivated undergraduate students with high grade point averages. These opportunities range from specially designed courses in general education (Honors in General Education Program) and in selected majors (Honors in the Major Program) to many honors societies that students can join.
- CSU, Chico is accredited by the Western Association of Colleges and Schools, as well as 25 professional associations covering all seven colleges within CSU, Chico.
Tuition Fees*
Undergraduate (Fall 2012):
0 - 6 units: $2,321 Total Per Semester
6.1 + units: $3,470 Total Per Semester
Graduate (Fall 2012):
0 - 6 units: $2,687 Total Per Semester
6.1 + units: $4,103 Total Per Semester
Credential (Fall 2012):
0 - 6 units: $2,576 Total Per Semester
6.1 + units: $3,908 Total Per Semester
(Nonresident tuition (fall 2012): $372 per unit, in addition to fees)
*All CSU tuition fees should be regarded as estimates that are subject to change upon approval by the Board of Trustees.
CSU, Chico's History
In 1887, General John Bidwell, pioneer, statesman, and founder of Chico, donated eight acres of cherry orchard, and construction began on Chico State Normal School. The campus opened in 1889 with 90 students and five faculty members. The first class of teachers graduated in June 1891. Chico State Normal School became Chico State Teachers College in 1921. The legislature converted its teachers colleges to state colleges in 1935, and Chico State Teachers College became Chico State College. In 1972, the college became California State University, Chico. The campus proper is 119 acres. The University also manages 800 acres of farm land, 240 acres of range land, and 2,330 acres of ecological reserves.
Programs, Facilities, and Services
Academic Technologies: Technology and Learning Program, Media Productions, Classroom Technology Support, Distributed Learning, Presentation Graphics Lab, Library Copy Center, Graphic Design, and Web Services.
Art Galleries and Museums: The Turner Print Museum features a collection of over 3,000 prints, while the Humanities Gallery and the University Gallery host exhibitions of art by faculty, students, alumni, and guest artists from throughout California. The Department of Art galleries in Ayres Hall exhibits student work. The Valene L. Smith Museum of Anthropology offers exhibits and a lecture series, and the Gateway Science Museum creates educational programs to teach school children about our region's rich natural heritage.
Athletics: There are 13 Division II men's and women's athletic teams, with an all-weather track, putting green, jogging trails, two gyms, a soccer stadium, softball fields, Nettleton Stadium (for baseball), tennis, basketball, weight room, and other facilities.
Housing: The University provides 2,018 living spaces in six on-campus residence halls and one off-campus apartment complex (University Village). See Housing website for housing costs.
Institute for Sustainable Development: The institute manages several land preserves for the primary purposes of protection, enhancement, research, and education. These include the 3,950-acre Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve, the 300-acre Butte Creek Ecological Reserve, and the 80-acre Eagle Lake Field Station.
Laboratories: Agriculture, Anthropology, Archeology, Art, Biology, Bio-Psychology, Chemistry, Child Development, Computer Science, Consumer Science, Counseling Psychology, Dietetics/Food Nutrition, Engineering, Exercise Physiology, Foreign Language, Kinesiology, Geosciences, Manufacturing, Physics, Physical Anthropology, Psychology, and Agriculture and Biology greenhouses are among the many labs on campus. In addition there are many student computing facilities (three university open-access labs, including a 24-hour lab; 40+ department labs; and seven residence hall labs).
Meriam Library: The university library is a four-story building housing close to a million print volumes with complete Wi-Fi coverage on all floors. Computer labs are located on the first and fourth floors, and private study rooms on the first, second, and third floors. The fourth floor is designed to be a collaborative environment with movable furniture, whiteboards, and tables with integrated displays for laptops. Through the Library ReSEARCH Station, users can access more than 100 electronic databases leading to full-text articles in over 41,000 journals and get help with their research online using Ask A Librarian. Special Collections houses the northeastern California collection of books, photographs, and manuscripts pertaining to Chico and the 12 northeastern counties of California, as well as the University Archives and the Rare Book Collection.
Northstate Public Radio: KCHO/KFPR, a National Public Radio affiliate, is located at the corner of Third and Main Streets in downtown Chico.
Performing Arts and Public Events: The School of the Arts presents an active calendar of students performing in dance, theatre, musical theatre, and musical events of all kinds, including the North State Symphony (a three-city symphony); the annual spring musical in Laxson Auditorium; and three different galleries showcasing work of students, faculty, and invited artists. The Humanities Center hosts an eclectic calendar of speakers and faculty symposia. Chico Performances presents a variety of professional touring artists in music, dance, and theatre. It also hosts the Chico World Music Festival and the President's Lecture Series, which has included Mikhail Gorbechev, Desmond Tutu, Jane Goodall, and Shimon Peres. Home games for our intercollegiate athletic teams draw thousands of fans. More than 150,000 people from the region attend activities on campus each year. The University has three theatres, one auditorium, two gyms, and three athletic stadiums.
Regional Education: As the anchor institution in Northern California, CSU, Chico serves a 12-county service area, the largest in the 23-campus California State University system. The Center for Regional and Continuing Education provides higher education access to this distributed population through distance education programs, Open University, lifelong learning programs, and continuing education courses and conferences for professionals. To increase access to the University, Continuing Education manages accelerated academic sessions in the winter and summer. To extend the University globally, Continuing Education administers the American Language and Culture Institute (ALCI Chico), an intensive English language program for international students.
Student Activities: The University recognizes more than 225 student organizations each year, including fraternities, sororities and special interest, social, and professional groups. The Student Activities Office also sponsors the Campus Alcohol and Drug Education Center and the Cross-Cultural Leadership Center.
Student Newspaper: The Orion has won numerous awards, including 11 National Pacemaker awards—widely considered the top prize for general excellence in college journalism. The Orion won the award six times in the 1990s and was inducted into the Associated Collegiate Press Hall of Fame in 2005. In 2009, the paper was also awarded its second Online National Pacemaker Award in three years, and its print edition placed second in the Best of Show competition. Nine times since 1994, the California Newspaper Publishers Association has selected The Orion as the state's number one university paper among all dailies and weeklies. The National Newspaper Association and the Society of Professional Journalists have each named The Orion the nation's best university weekly in recent years.
Student Services: The University offers the following support programs: Academic Advising Program; AS Children's Center; Career Center; Disability Support Services; Educational Support Program; Financial Aid; International Student Advising; Learning Assistance Center; Counseling & Wellness Center; Student Computing Services; Student Employment Center; Student Health Center; Student Learning Center; and the University Writing Center.
University Farm: The 800-acre Agricultural Teaching and Research Center (University Farm) offers lab experience in beef, swine, sheep, goat, and organic dairy production; meat lab; ag mechanics; orchard management, crops, soils, and sustainable agriculture.
Chico Geographical Facts
- Chico is 90 miles north of Sacramento.
- Chico is 174 miles northeast of San Francisco.
- Chico is 8 miles from the Sacramento River.
- Chico is 2 miles from the foothills of the Sierra Nevada.
- Bidwell Park has a total of 3,670 acres, making it one of the largest municipal parks in the United States.
- Chico is 230 feet above sea level.
- Average annual rainfall is 22.6 inches.
- Chico has an average of 219 clear days in a typical year.
- Population of Butte County (2011 estimate) is 220,226.
- Population density of Butte County is approximately 135 persons per square mile, compared to 242 for the state of California.
Chico Community
City of Chico Government: City Council and City Manager
Date of City Incorporation: January 8, 1872
Population within Chico City Limits (estimate): 87,500
Total Population of "Chico Urban Area": 100,000
General: Chico has been designated as a Tree City USA for 26 years by the Arbor Day Foundation. Its official nickname is "City of Roses." The city has been named in many "Best of" lists, including “Best Place to Retire” (2008 U.S. News & World Report and 2005 and 2006 CNN Money.com; “Best Green Places to Live” (2007 U.S. News & World Report); “Fastest Commute Time” (2006 Money Magazine); “Best Places in America” (2000 Forbes Magazine); and “Best Mid-Size Downtowns” (2007 California Planning & Development Report).
Communications: Ten local radio stations, five local television stations, one daily newspaper, three weekly newspapers
Transportation and Shipping: Chico is served by the Greyhound bus line and Amtrak trains. United Express provides air service. Chico Municipal Airport is within 10 minutes of downtown. The B-Line provides bus service throughout the Chico community and Butte County. The B-Line Paratransit provides transportation for seniors and persons with disabilities.
Recreation: The Chico Area Recreation and Park District (CARD) offers free or inexpensive recreational programs for about 40,000 participants annually. About 340 adult softball teams play in CARD leagues. Chico has more than 50 tennis courts, over a dozen racquetball courts, two bowling alleys, a roller-skating rink, four golf courses, and nine health clubs. Bicycle magazine named Chico "America's Best Bike Town" in 1997. Snow skiing is two hours away. Three recreational lakes are within a few hours' distance. Bidwell Park has barbecue pits, swimming pools, softball diamonds, a children's playground, and horseback and jogging trails. Bidwell Nature Center and Chico Creek Nature Center offer educational experiences for children and adults.
Arts and Entertainment: There are several movie theatres in town, and many music and dance clubs in the area. Community theatre productions run year round. Over a dozen local art galleries/exhibit halls display local and international artists' work. The Chico Museum, The Gateway Science Museum, Bidwell Mansion, and Stansbury House are open to the public. Chico was rated #10 by author John Villani in his book Top 100 Best Small Art Towns in America and listed in USA Today’s “10 Great Places for Big-City Art, Small-Town Feel.” Chico was also rated among the top eight college towns in the United States by MSN.com.
Education: Chico Unified School District enrolls about 12,000 students in grades K-12. Butte Community College enrolls about 27,400 students on its main campus in Oroville and its centers in Chico and Glenn County.
