What is California State University Chico campus known for?

CSU, Chico campus is a “top public school in the west” for 20 years running as per U.S. News & World Report (till 2021). Apart from this, it takes pride in itself for providing student-centered approach and commitment to sustainability and community engagement. The faculty at CSU, Chico campus encourage students to become the very best versions of themselves. The university focuses on students’ personal and professional growth.

Is California State University Chico a good university?

California State University – Chico campus has been ranked at the 26th position in the regional universities West as per U.S. News & World Report in the 2022-23. The ranking factors include graduation and retention rates, social mobility, undergraduate academic reputation, faculty resources, financial resources per student, etc.

Why is California State University Chico campus a good school?

California State University – Chico campus aims to provide the academic excellence to its students. It is a top college in America for educational quality and value according to Forbes magazine. Apart from this, CSU Chico campus is considered a great value college because the alumni has high placement rates. Also, Chico’s cost of living is great as the housing rentals are 80% lower on an average than those in San Francisco, California.

Is CSU, Chico state a big campus?

The main campus of CSU, Chico campus is 132 acres. There is an university farm of 800 acres as well. It also has ecological reserves of 4,043 acres. Meriam library of the university is a four storey building, that has a million print volumes. There are various laboratories on campus for Agriculture, Chemistry, Computer Science, Physics, Psychology, etc.

What are some useful tips for students starting their first semester at Cal State Chico?

Some of the tips for students starting their first-semester at the Cal State Chico University are: Students who applied for Cal State Chico University must be humble and should interact with as many people as possible. Mainly beacause, the more people you talk to the better knowledge you get. Attend as many gathering and parties as much as you can. Applicants should avoid missing classess, as 70% of learning comes from students going to classes. Students can get invovlved with extracuricular activities, i.e joing university clubs, sports etc. This will also look good on a portfolio in the longer run.

Which is better, California State University LA or California State University Chico Campus?

California State University LA or California State University Chico Campus are renowned institutions offering unique campus cultures and various academic programs. While they share a great reputation, there are subtle differences between the two universities. The below table compares the rankings, fees and acceptance rate of California State University LA or California State University Chico Campus. Overall this information could be useful for students who are considering them. Here is the comparison highlighting the differences between the Universities: Name of The University Ranking Acceptance Rate 1st Year Tuition Fee California State University LA 1401 (QS) 90% UG course: INR 14 L - 16 L PG course: INR 12 L - 18 L California State University Chico Campus 70 (US news) 91% UG Course: INR 16 L - 17 L PG course: INR 17 L (The comparison of fees was between the BTech course for UG and the MBA course for PG

What are the best reasons to attend Cal State Chico?

There are several reasons why you shouls choose Cal State Chico: Cal State Chico Campus is surely a good option for international students mainly beacuse of a diverse range of excellent academic programs across its professional schools and colleges. Here are the reasons why you should go for Cal State Chico Campus: Academics: The California State Chico offers more than 200 courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The Cal State Chico Campus University offers undergraduate major and minor courses. Students can also pursue master’s or doctoral programs at the Cal State Chico Campus University. Placements: The data given below has been sourced from payscale.com. It has been updated in November and can further change from time to time. Check the average salaries of the California State University’s graduates according to different job titles. Job Title Average Salary Project Manager USD 90,791 Project Engineer USD 76,000 Mechanical Engineer USD 67,216 Senior Software Engineer USD 135,907 Marketing Director USD 90,000 Operations Manager USD 66,666 Software Engineer USD 94,599 (Source: payscale.com) Location of the university - The Cal State Chico is in a location where arts & culture, technology industry and entertainment industry providing endless internship. International Students have access to beaches, outdoor activities, live music/performances and attractions which makes their make campus life more enjoyable. The location gives Cal State Chico Campus students an additional mark to study at Cal State Chico Campus. Ranking: California State University – Chico campus. In the best undergraduate Engineering programs category rankings by U.S. News, California State University – Chico campus ranks at the #70th position for 2022-23. This course has made a four-spot jump from last year in the Best Undergraduate Engineering – No Doctorate list. Fees: : The cost of attending Cal State Chico Campus for Indian students can vary depending on several factors. Tuition fees for international students at Cal State Chico Campus are typically higher than for US citizens. However, it is important that the tuition fee can change over time, and it is recommended to visit the official website to recheck the fees and accommodation. Indian students should also consider other costs such as housing, health insurance, meals and transportation attending Cal State Chico Campus.

How to take admission to Cal State LA?

In order to seek admission in the California State University LA, applicants must apply via the online Cal State Apply application between October 01 2025 – May 01, 2026 for Fall entry. Also, students must meet the minimum GPA which can be 3.0 and also, an English language proficiency score has to be submitted. IELTS / TOEFl with minimum scores can be submitted.

Who are the most famous members of the CSU Chico alumni network?

California State University - Chico has housed several prominent individuals from the past & present generations who have used respective knowledge & talents to shape their industries. Listed below are some of the more notable alumni members: Raymond Carver: Writer & Poet Clair Engle: United States Senator Mat Kearney: American Musician Chris Wondolowski: American Soccer Player Bill Wattenburg: American Inventor & Engineer

How are the placement trends at California State University Chico campus?

Over 750 companies come to California State University – Chico campus to recruit students. The companies are Apple, Amazon, Google, Amazon, Spotify, EY, Intel Corp, Twitter, General Electric, PayPal. The faculty and career counselors at CSU, Chico campus ensure that students are prepared and ready to find a job post-graduation. Various programs at CSU, Chico campus proudly claim 100% job placement rates for some its courses. These programs are Accounting, Business Information Systems, Agricultural Science and Education, Communication Science and Disorders.

What kind of career services are provided by California State University Chico campus?

California State University – Chico campus’ career center is the one-stop destination to know about internships and career advices. It provides services like career and internship advising, on-campus interviews, seminars, mock interviews, career fairs, resume and cover letters reviews, etc.

Does CSU Chico offer scholarships?

Yes, CSU Chico offers 3 kinds of scholarships to ease the financial burden on students & ensure that money doesn't become an obstacle in the educational journey of the good students. The institute primarily offers 3 kinds of scholarships, as listed below: Wildcat Scholarship - Merit based & need-based scholarships are offered to eligible candidates Departmental - Department wise scholarships are offered to students, refer the respective departments for information regarding application deadines External - Scholarships are provided in collaboration with other external institutions such as local businesses

How long does it take to get accepted at California State University - Chico?

The institute reviews and accepts admission applications on a rolling basis. Applicants can expect to receive an update as soon as two weeks after submission of respective applications. An response may take longer during the busiest periods of applications, hence students are advised to tamper their expectations accordingly.

What is the acceptance rate of California State University - Chico?

The acceptance rate at California State University stands at around 91%. Its relatively high as compared to some other US based institutions & it isn't as selective at admitting students to its courses. Despite that, interested candidates must perform really well in school level & university entrance exams. The institution also advises interested candidates to submit respective admissions applications as soon as the admission window opens, due to limited availability of seats & high demand.

Does CSU Chico require letters of recommendation?

Students applying for admission to CSU Chico are required to submit at-least one letter of recommendation duly signed by an academy professor or institute head as part of respective admission applications. Students are also required to submit some other additional documents as part of the application process including: Educational transcripts Valid language proficiency test scores A copy of passport Secure an average GPA of 3.0 in past academics Students will be made aware of the application status via mail.

Are there any scholarships available for international students at California State University Chico campus?

Yes, the institute provides a host of scholarships to students based on respective needs & educational accomplishments. CSU Chico primarily offers 3 types of scholarships to its students: Wildcat, Departmental, & External. As part of the Wildcat Scholarships, hundreds of scholarships are handed out to students in need or based on their educational qualifications. The departmental scholarships are handed out to students by the heads of respective departments, while the external scholarships typically involve distribution of financial aid by external organizations such as local businesses & private organizations.

What is the tuition fee for undergraduate as well as Masters programs at California State University, Chico campus?

According to the facts of California State University, Chico campus, the tuition fee is USD 32,380 for undergraduate students. Whereas, the tuition fee for the master’s programs is USD 31,430.

What are the academic requirements for admission into undergraduate programmes at CSU, Chico campus?

In order to take admission into undergraduate programme at CSU, Chico campus, you need to meet the GPA requirements as specified by the university. Apart from this, you must also have English language proficiency scores of IELTS / TOEFL / PTE. No SAT score is required to take admission into the undergraduate courses.

What is the MS in Computer Science fees at CSU Chico campus?

The below data can be referred to know about MS in Computer Science fees for international students at CSU Chico campus: Fees components Amount Tuition & fees INR 13,32,354 Hostel & Meals INR 8,23,157 Insurance INR 57,658 Personal Expenses INR 1,58,184 Books & Supplies INR 94,877 International Student Fee INR 8,308 Total INR 2,474,538

Is California State University - Chico a good institution for pursuing higher studies?

CSU Chico can be a good option for international students looking to pursue higher studies from the US. The institution offers an enriching & creative learning envrionment to its students & is far more affordable as compared to some other US institutions. Its acceptance rate of 91% suggests the institution happily accepts domestic & international students to its courses. The institute is accreditated by prominent US boards such as WSCUC & WASC since 1954. It recieved its the latest accreditation in 2019.

What are the popular courses offered by the California State University Chico campus?

Popular courses of California State University Chico campus is listed below alog with the fees and duration of the courses: Courses Duration 1st Year Tuition Fees MS 18 months-2 years INR 12.6 L - 13.3 L MBA/PGDM 18-24 months INR 17.2 L MA 2 years INR 12.6 L - 13.6 L Others PG 2-3 years INR 12.6 L - 14.3 L

What majors is California State University - Chico known for?

California State University - Chico is known for offering numerous UG & PG programs to its students across a range of sectors. The most prominent majors offered by the institute include: Biochemistry Business Administration Chemistry Civil Engineering Computer Science Pre-Nursing

Is California State University - Chico expensive?

Pursuing studies at the Chico campus of the California State University is a lot more affordable as compared to most other four-year colleges. The cost of living is lesser & the institute provides a range of financial aid options to help students over the duration of respective educational journeys. The tuition fee for international students UG students lies in the range of INR 16.47 L – 16.68 L, while the tuition fee for international PG students is around INR 12.7 L – INR 18.38 L.

What rank is California State University Chico campus?

A prominent publication ranks CSU Chico #20 out of 118 Regional Universities in the West. Shiksha as per its the latest popularity rankings ranks the institution #284 for its B.B.A. programme & #310 for its Business & Management related programs, further solidifying its status as one of the best institutions in the U.S & globally.

Is CSU Chico a top 10 university in the world?

No, the institution is not part of the illustrious list of the top 10 institutions in the world, however it still maintains a decent standing as an institution that offers its students an enriching & creative learning environment. The institution maintains a decent rank in the rankings of several prominent publications, as listed below: #284 for B.B.A #310 for Business & Management related courses #8 for Best value degree #23 for Social Mobility #14 for Best Colleges for Veterans

Is a degree from California State University - Chico acceptable in India?

Yes, a degree from the California State University is accepted by most institutions across several sectors in India & across the globe. The institute is accredited by WSCUC/WASC since 1954. The institute was last accredited by WSCUC in 2019. California State University graduates are very much in demand to several top MNC's in the US & across the globe, listed below are some of the top companies: Amazon Apple Nielson Cisco Systems Dell

Is off-campus accommodation available for California State University- Chico students?

The institute does not manage off-campus accommodation facilities for its students, however it does manage a dedicated platform to connect interested students with off-campus apartment lenders near the university campus. Students are advised to refer the institute's official website for more detailed information.

What do students do for fun at Chico State?

Students at Chico State University campus have a ton of options to choose from to spend their free time at. Students can opt to join a club from the institute's long list of options including: atheletics, research, healthcare, music, arts, books, etc. Watch or be part of a student musical or music bands, or take up any sport such as American Football & swimming. The student community also organizes movie nights at regular intervals along with meditation programs & music concerts.

What facilities are provided by California State University as part of its accommodation facilities?

All essential facilities needed to maintain a decent standard of life are provided by the university housing to its students. Mentioned below are some of the facilities offered: Study Lounges Laundry faciities Double occupancy bedrooms 24x7 professional staff aid Printers Game lounges Common bathroom & shower facilities

What are the major attractions around California State University - Chico campus?

Chico is referred to as the cultural and economic center of the northern Sacramento Valley & also as a college town housing the California State University, Chico. The town is also home to the Bidwell Park which is one of the largest urban parks in the world. Listed below are some popular tourist attractions for students to visit: Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. Bidwell Park Chico Certified Farmer's market Silverdollar Speedway The Gateway Science Museum

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California State University, Chico: Rankings, Popular Courses, Fees

Q: How can I get admission to California State University Chico campus?

Step 1: Complete your Application- application to Chico university is completely online based through Cal State Apply. Step 2: Check your status- after applying check your application status and redirect students center to the check your admission status. Step 3: Accept admission offer- Once you have been offered admission, commit to Chico State by submitting your intent to enroll.

Chico, California, USA

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1292 Scholarships for studying in USA

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132 acre campus
Estd. 1887

Last updated on 24 Dec '25

CSU Chico
What's new?

The upcoming deadline for UG students at California State University Chico is Mar 2, 2026.

CSU Chico Overview

Table of contents

About California State University Chico
California State University Chico Rankings
California State University Chico Programs
California State University - Chico Campus Admission 2026
California State University Chico Scholarships 2025
+ 10 more items

About California State University Chico

All

Things to Know

California State University is a public university located in First Street Chico, California, USA. The University was founded in 1887 and is regarded as the second oldest campus in the California State University system. The University has an enrollment of over 14,600+ students with 2% international students. California State University offers 7 colleges and 5 schools with multiple programs offered at the undergraduate, and graduate levels.

Things to Know About California State University Chico

Some important things to know about California State University Chico are listed below:

Particulars	Validations
Acceptance Rate	91%
Total No. of Students Enrolled	14,600+
Public or Private University	Public University
Annual Tuition Cost	UG: INR 16.47 L – 16.68 L PG: INR 12.7 L – 18.38 L
Popular Programs	Master of Business Administration Master of Science in Data Science & Analytics Master of Science in Environmental Science Computer Science MS Nutritional Science MS

History

California State University Chico was established in 1887 on the eight-acre cherry orchards donated by John Bidwell. Today, the boundaries of his cherry orchards are planted with cherry trees in remembrance of John Bidwell. The construction of the Chico State Normal School began in the coming years. The school opened its campus in 1889 with 90 students and five faculty members enrolled. The Chico State Normal School came to be known as the Chico State Teachers College in 1921 and introduced a junior college curriculum around the same time. In 1924, the college introduced baccalaureate degrees. Chico State Teachers College faced a major challenge when the Normal Building was destroyed in a fire in 1927. Soon, the College set up a new administration building which came to be known as the Kendall Hall. In 1935, Chico State Teachers College came to be known as Chico State College. Around the same time, the College also introduced the Bachelors of Science and Master’s degrees.

It was in 1972, when Chico State College came to be known as California State University, Chico. Over time the university grew with 132 acres of campus core and also, managed to establish 800 acres of farmland and 4,043 acres of ecological reserves. In 1986 the university reorganized some of the academic departments and programs and celebrated its 100^th anniversary in 1987. Ever since the university has continued to establish new features and organize multiple events at the university.

Also read: Study Guide to USA for International Students

Year of establishment

1887

University website

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Student website

Go to Website Link Arrow Icon

Campus size

132 acres

No. of campus

Scholarships available

Scholarships granted

8650

Scholarship amount granted

USD 77 million

English proficiency test

Required

Accepted exams

SAT/ACT accepted

Not required

Total faculty

517

Faculty/Student ratio

UG/PG course ratio

2.67

Total criminal offences

Commonly asked questions
On Highlights

Q: Where did the graduates of the California State University Chico campus go after post-graduation?

The graduates of the California State University – Chico campus moved to the following areas like Northern CA, Bay Area, Southern CA, Sacramento, out of state and out of country. A total of 43% of graduates moved to Northern CA.

Q: How can I get admission to California State University Chico campus?

Step 1: Complete your Application- application to Chico university is completely online based through Cal State Apply.

Step 2: Check your status- after applying check your application status and redirect students center to the check your admission status.

Step 3: Accept admission offer- Once you have been offered admission, commit to Chico State by submitting your intent to enroll.

California State University Chico Programs

International students at California State University Chico campus can choose to study from over 200 bachelor’s and master’s degree courses. The study areas of the bachelor’s degree include Biochemistry, Business Administration, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, etc. At the master’s level, the study areas include History, English, Psychology, Communication Studies, Business Administration, etc.

The pie chart given below offers information about California State University Chico courses offered:

Note: The 'Others' in the pie chart refers to some other courses offered such as Journalism, Economics, Project Management, etc.

MS

10 Courses

3.7(1)18 months - 3 years

1st year Tution Fees

₹14 L - 21 L

Get Fee Details

Shiksha Ranking

– / –

Guided 4.4K students to USA universities.

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B.E. / B.Tech

11 Courses4 years

1st year Tution Fees

₹18 L - 20 L

Get Fee Details

Shiksha Ranking

– / –

We can fast-track your application in a week.

Talk to Expert

View All 9 Courses

California State University - Chico Campus Admission 2026

For California State University - Chico Campus admission, Indian students have to apply online through the official website. The general admission requirements include meeting the entry requirements and English language proficiency requirements. The California State University - Chico Campus accepts English Language exam scores such as IELTS, TOEFL, PTE and GRE as a proof. Also at the end of application process, there is an application fee. To complete the application process, students are required to submit a few documents such as SOP, LOR and CV.

Application Deadlines

California State University Chico upcoming application deadline is Mar 2, 2026.

Application fees :USD 70
Type of deadline :Depends on course

Documents

Type of documents	Applicable for
SOP	Needed for few courses
LOR	Needed for few courses
Essays	Not required
CV	Needed for few courses
Additional documents	Required

Sign-up to view details

View admission details

CSU Chico Popular Courses

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B.E. / B.Tech

B.Sc.

M.A.

Master of Science in Data Science and Analytics icon

18 months

1st yr. Tuition Fees

₹15.52 LGet Fee Details

Exams Accepted

Computer Science MS icon

18 months

1st yr. Tuition Fees

₹14.47 LGet Fee Details

Exams Accepted

Master of Science in Biological Sciences icon

2 years

1st yr. Tuition Fees

₹13.71 LGet Fee Details

Exams Accepted

Master of Science in Environmental Science icon

2 years

1st yr. Tuition Fees

₹13.71 LGet Fee Details

Exams Accepted

MS in Psychology - Marriage and Family Therapy icon

3 years

1st yr. Tuition Fees

₹15.49 LGet Fee Details

Exams Accepted

View AllMS Courses

CSU Chico
Student profile

Quick university statsInsights on student demographics, enrolment, and academic success

UG Race

Others

53%

Hispanic

37%

Asian

Black

UG Student residence

In state

100%

UG Age distribution

24 and under

85%

25 and over

14%

UG Number of Applicant

21417

Overall Graduation Rate

UG Enrollment

12981

PG Enrollment

1202

CSU Chico
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Insights on education, demographics & weather.

Education in USA

963+Universities & colleges

3.38LIndian students in USA in 2024

20 hours per weekPart-time work permit

12 monthsPost-study work permit

Country stats

Washington D.C.Capital

347.28M (2025)Total population

2%Economic growth rate in 2025

EnglishPrimary language

Weather

February

Popular LocationsMinMax

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Chicago-42

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California State University Chico Campus FAQs

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