About Chico State
Location
Quick Facts
Chico State was founded in 1887, making it the second oldest CSU campus in the state.
The average undergraduate class size is 30 students, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 23 to 1.
Our students come from 43 nations, 34 states, and 1 US territory.
Experience Excellence
California State University, Chico’s tradition of academic excellence goes back more than 130 years. Our unique combination of scholarly pursuits, civic engagement, and a very real connection to the Chico community earns it national and international accolades. Learn more about our achievements in Experience Excellence.
Rankings
The University has been rated a top-10 regional public university in the West by U.S. News and World Report since 1998, when the rankings began.
Washington Monthly highlighted the University for "helping non-wealthy students attain marketable degrees at affordable prices."
Chico State was named one of the greenest campuses in the nation in The Princeton Review’s "Guide to Green Colleges."
See more rankings in Experience Excellence.
History
In 1887, the California Legislature approved the creation of the Northern Branch of the State Normal School. After much debate, Chico was chosen as the site of the new teachers college. The Chico Normal School opened its doors to 90 students in 1889. As the college grew, its name changed to reflect that growth. In 1972, we became 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.
Largest Majors
See the University Catalog for all majors offered.
Contact Information
- Campus Directory
- Information Center, 530-898-4636
- Contact Us
Campus Office Hours
- Academic Year: 8 a.m.–5 p.m. (PST), Monday–Friday
- Summer Hours: 7 a.m.–5:30 p.m. (PST), Monday–Thursday, closed Fridays
