Cost of Attendance
Cost of Attendance (COA) is an estimate of what it typically costs to attend Chico State for one academic year (9 months). It’s meant to help you plan for college—it is not a bill and is only an estimate of typical costs, not your actual charges.
The COA includes:
- Direct costs paid to Chico State, like tuition and fees
- Estimated indirect costs, like housing, food, transportation, and personal expenses
Every college has its own COA based on local costs. When you compare schools, you may find that Chico State has a more affordable cost of living than many other college towns.
Your actual costs may be higher or lower depending on your major, residency status, living situation, personal spending, or veteran benefits. You may be able to spend less by having roommates, eating out less, or walking, biking, or taking the bus—local buses are free for Chico State students.
Keep in mind: these are estimates for a typical student. Your costs may be different, so think about what applies to you and plan accordingly.
2026-27:
| Expense | Off-Campus (California Resident) | On-Campus (California Resident) | With Relatives (California Resident) | WUE 12 Units Off-Campus(4) | Non-Resident 12 units Off-Campus(5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (2) | $6,838 | $6,838 | $6,838 | $10,258 | $18,142 |
| Mandatory Campus Fees (2) | $2,506 | $2,506 | $2,506 | $2,506 | $2,506 |
| Books / Supplies | $1,174 | $1,174 | $1,174 | $1,174 | $1,174 |
| Living Expenses (Housing) | $6,835 | $9,628 | $3,551 | $6,835 | $6,835 |
| Living Expenses (Food) (3) | $5,979 | $5,992 | $5,979 | $5,979 | $5,979 |
| Transportation | $1,922 | $768 | $2,334 | $1,922 | $1,922 |
| Personal Expenses | $3,502 | $2,640 | $2,792 | $3,502 | $3,502 |
| TOTAL | $28,756 | $29,546 | $25,174 | $32,176 | $40,060 |
| Expense | Off-Campus (California Resident) | On-Campus (California Resident) | With Relatives (California Resident) | Non-Resident 8 units Off-Campus(5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (2) | $8,368 | $8,368 | $8,368 | $15,904 |
| Mandatory Campus Fees (2) | $2,506 | $2,506 | $2,506 | $2,506 |
| Books / Supplies | $1,174 | $1,174 | $1,174 | $1,174 |
| Living Expenses (Housing) | $6,835 | $9,628 | $3,551 | $6,835 |
| Living Expenses (Food) (3) | $5,979 | $5,992 | $5,979 | $5,979 |
| Transportation | $1,922 | $768 | $2,334 | $1,922 |
| Personal Expenses | $3,502 | $2,640 | $2,792 | $3,502 |
| TOTAL | $30,286 | $31,076 | $26,704 | $37,822 |
2025-26:
| Expense | Off-Campus (California Resident) | On-Campus (California Resident) | With Relatives (California Resident) | WUE 12 Units Off-Campus(4) | Non-Resident 12 units Off-Campus(5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (2) | $6,450 | $6,450 | $6,450 | $9,675 | $17,106 |
| Mandatory Campus Fees (2) | $2,446 | $2,446 | $2,446 | $2,446 | $2,446 |
| Books / Supplies | $1,122 | $1,122 | $1,122 | $1,122 | $1,122 |
| Living Expenses (Housing) | $6,435 | $8,726 | $3,345 | $6,435 | $6,435 |
| Living Expenses (Food) (3) | $5,661 | $7,942 | $5,661 | $5,661 | $5,661 |
| Transportation | $1,850 | $740 | $2,246 | $1,850 | $1,850 |
| Personal Expenses | $3,098 | $2,336 | $2,470 | $3,098 | $3,098 |
| TOTAL | $27,062 | $29,762 | $23,740 | $30,287 | $37,718 |
| Expense | Off-Campus (California Resident) | On-Campus (California Resident) | With Relatives (California Resident) | Non-Resident 8 units Off-Campus(5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (2) | $7,886 | $7,886 | $7,886 | $14,990 |
| Mandatory Campus Fees (2) | $2,446 | $2,446 | $2,446 | $2,446 |
| Books / Supplies | $1,122 | $1,122 | $1,122 | $1,122 |
| Living Expenses (Housing) | $6,435 | $8,726 | $3,345 | $6,435 |
| Living Expenses (Food) (3) | $5,661 | $7,942 | $5,661 | $5,661 |
| Transportation | $1,850 | $740 | $2,246 | $1,850 |
| Personal Expenses | $3,098 | $2,336 | $2,470 | $3,098 |
| TOTAL | $28,498 | $31,198 | $25,176 | $35,602 |
Footnotes
(1a) Undergraduate budget chart is for a 9-month academic year and reflects the actual cost for full-time tuition and mandatory campus fees. Books/supplies are averaged estimates. The costs for food/housing, transportation, and personal expenses are averaged estimates that vary by student depending on their living arrangements.
(1b) Postbaccalaureate budget chart is for a 9-month academic year and reflects weighted averages of actual Credential and Graduate full-time tuition and mandatory campus fees. Books/supplies are averaged estimates. The costs for food/housing, transportation, and personal expenses are averaged estimates that vary by student depending on their living arrangements.
(2) Tuition is are based on full–time enrollment. Mandatory Campus Fees are the same for all students. All fees are subject to change based on Board of Trustees action. See Student Financial Services for fees and deadlines.
There is an additional per unit per semester cost for MBA and for MS in Accountancy, Business Administration, Health Care Management, Business and Technology, Information Systems, and Taxation. For 2025-26 the additional cost is $303 per unit and for 2026-27 the additional cost is $321 per unit.
(3) Living Expenses - Food: The Hungry Wildcat Food Pantry is part of our Basic Needs resources. Our food pantry combats food insecurity by providing a wide assortment of nutritious food products to Chico State students and staff. They specialize in the distribution of local, farm-direct, organic produce and foods.
(4) Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) fees - WUE students pay 150% of the tuition and 100% of the mandatory campus fees. The Undergrad WUE additional fees noted above represent the additional 50% of the tuition for 12 units.
WUE calculation used above for 2026-27:
- Undergraduate tuition + additional 50% tuition = $10,258 for fall and spring semester.
- Campus mandatory fees = $2,506 for fall and spring semester.
- Undergraduate tuition + additional 50% = $9,675 for fall and spring semester.
- Campus mandatory fees = $2,446 for fall and spring semester.
(5) Non–Resident/International student fees are calculated by multiplying the per unit rate—$471 for 2026-27 or $444 for 2025-26—by the number of full-time units (12 units for undergraduates and 8 units for postbaccalaureate students).
Non-Resident/International calculation used above for 2026-27:
- Undergraduate:
- tuition for 12 units is $6,838 + ($471 x 12 units x 2 semesters) = $18,142 for fall and spring semester
- Mandatory campus fees = $2,506 for fall and spring
- Postbaccalaureate:
- Tuition for 8 units is $8,368 + ($471 x 8 units x 2 semesters) = $15,904 for fall and spring semester.
- Mandatory campus fees = $2,506 for fall and spring semester
- Undergraduate:
- Tuition for 12 units is $6,450 + ($444 x 12 units x 2 semesters) = $17,106 for fall and spring semester
- Mandatory campus fees = $2,446 for fall and spring
- Postbaccalaureate:
- Tuition for 8 units is $7,886 + ($444 x 8 units x 2 semesters) = $6,720 for a total of $14,990 for fall and spring semester.
- Mandatory campus fees = $2,446 for fall and spring semester
Data Collection
The data used to create the Chico State cost of attendance was based on average expenses reported by Chico State students in their responses to the California Student Aid Commission’s Student Expense and Resources Survey (SEARS). Amounts are adjusted for the appropriate California Consumer Price Index (CCPI). As required by federal regulations, the higher amount for actual mean or median cost of living on campus is used for the on-campus cost of attendance.
On-Campus Living Expenses (food/housing)
The above on-campus food and housing rates are averages and are used by the Financial Aid & Scholarship Office for the purpose of packaging financial aid. Actual on-campus food and housing rates are available at University Housing.
2026-27 AB990 and SB467 Information - Housing Costs Near Chico State Campus:
- 1 bedroom: $1,325
- 2 bedroom: $1,690
- 2 bedrooms - renting room: $845
- 3 bedrooms - renting room: $783
- 4 bedrooms - renting room: $709
(Data source - HUD 2026 Small Area Fair Market Rents within a 5-mile radius of CSU campuses)
2025-26 AB990 and SB467 Information - Housing Costs Near Chico State Campus:
- 1 bedroom: $1,125
- 2 bedroom: $1,460
- 2 bedrooms - renting room: $730
- 3 bedrooms - renting room: $682
- 4 bedrooms - renting room: $614
(Data source - HUD 2025 Small Area Fair Market Rents within a 5-mile radius of CSU campuses)
Housing cost estimates are updated yearly on February 1st. It is important to understand the above average cost is for rent only and does not include cost of food, utilities, garbage, rental deposit, and other necessary expenses for housing. Most students share an apartment to reduce their housing cost.
For more information about off-campus housing and services provided by the university for students living off-campus, see Off Campus Student Services.
For additional information on how Cost of Attendance helps determine your financial aid offer, see Understanding Your Award.
Net Price Calculator
Use the Net Price Calculator to receive a rough estimate of your eligibility for grants and need-based loans. This calculator assists you in estimating your costs after taking into account your need-based financial aid eligibility. See our Net Price Calculator webpage for more information.
Appeals(opens in new window)
Students and their families may face situations where the FAFSA or CADAA information does not accurately reflect their current ability to pay for college. Other students may have experienced extenuating circumstances that prevented them from meeting satisfactory academic progress. There are a variety of appeal(opens in new window) options available to assist students in these situations.
Videos for Parents
See our video library for lots of other helpful financial aid videos!
Disclaimer: The CSU makes every effort to keep student costs to a minimum. Fees listed in published schedules or student accounts may need to be increased when public funding is inadequate. Therefore, CSU must reserve the right, even after fees are initially charged or initial fee payments are made, to increase or modify any listed fees. All listed fees, other than mandatory systemwide fees, are subject to change without notice, until the date when instruction for a particular semester or quarter has begun. All CSU listed fees should be regarded as estimates that are subject to change upon approval by the Board of Trustees, the Chancellor, or the Presidents, as appropriate. Changes in mandatory systemwide fees will be made in accordance with the requirements of the Working Families Student Fee Transparency and Accountability Act (Sections 66028 - 66028.6 of the Education Code).
For an estimated moderate standard of living budget, please refer to the Chico State Cost of Attendance.