Chico State

About Chico State

California State University, Chico is home to high-value programs, an active community, and engaging faculty who empower students to Do and Dare in their careers and lives. Better known as Chico State, we are a Hispanic-Serving Institution proud of our active and engaged student body and our strong connection with the local community and the state of California.

With a welcoming spirit and vibrant campus culture, we encourage students to discover their passions and advocate for what they care about through more than 100 degrees in undergraduate and graduate studies.

Best Colleges U.S. News Rankings

Top 10 U.S. Public University in the West

U.S. News & World Report (1998-2022)
CollegeNet

A “Most Transformative College” in the U.S.

Social Mobility Index
Forbes Americas Top Colleges 2019

A Top College for Educational Quality & Value

Forbes Magazine
Money's Best 2020

Top 7% of Best Colleges

Money Magazine

Why Choose Chico?

With one of the highest 4-year graduation rates in the CSU system and lowest average student debt amounts in the country, we are committed to helping you graduate on time with a budget you can afford.

13,840

Students

28

Average Class Size

24:1

Student-to-Faculty Ratio

385

Academic Offerings


Professor and student look closely in a lab setting

Be Part of the Breakthroughs

Award-winning faculty work side by side with students on projects like researching innovative cancer treatments, designing robotics, developing sustainable farming practices, and finding solutions to homelessness.

Student on treadmill with specialized breathing apparatus used for monitoring and training

Become a Leader in Your Field

Wildcats take what they learn in the classroom and compete on the national stage, outperforming their peers and taking top honors in competitions in debate, sales, cybersecurity, Model United Nations, and more.


77%

of students receive financial aid

Top 8%

for return on investment among 2,000 U.S. colleges (PayScale.com)

100%

job-placement rate for many majors


Smiling students holding bouquet of beautiful flowers at farmers market

A True College Town

Our campus is located right next to charming downtown Chico with dining, retail, and farmers markets that create a welcoming atmosphere.

Student musician playing guitar

Heart of Northern California

Just a few hours from the San Francisco Bay Area, you’ll find a thriving arts, music, and events scene in a community with one of the lowest costs of living in the state.

map of California
Text description of map (includes travel times).

A student riding a bike through campus on a sunny day.

No Commute Necessary

Named one of the greenest schools in the nation in The Princeton Review’s "Guide to Green Colleges," most Wildcats live, learn, and work within walking or biking distance of campus.

Dog trailing its owner as they walk through green trails towards the sun

Naturally Beautiful

Home to Bidwell Park’s 3,670-acres of hiking, biking, and walking trails, Chico offers endless outdoor recreation opportunities.


Student in the community helping paint lines on blacktop

We Are a Wildcat Family

Our culture of caring runs deep, and you will be supported in ways that allow you to thrive in and outside the classroom.

Student life at Chico State means being active and engaged with each other, our campus, and the community.

Smiling people on campus

By the Numbers

Find facts and stats about our campus, students, faculty and staff, popular majors, and more.

Chico State Quick Facts

Trinity Hall rises above flowered bushes

History and Traditions

We’ve been around a while—founded in 1887, we’re the second oldest California State University campus and sixth oldest public college in the state.

History and Traditions

Staff members sit in a training

Work Here

We are looking for outstanding candidates committed to student success who reflect the diverse & intersectional identities of our Wildcats.

Job Opportunities

Willie the Wildcat

Call us Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m., to talk directly to an admissions expert. No automated voice messages—we promise!

Office of Admissions:
530-898-6322  |  info@csuchico.edu