PublicUrban

California State University-Chico

Name: Campus Tour
Start: 2026-06-04T14:00:00
Location: California State University-Chico

Chico, California 95929-0150

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Urban

Known for business — excellent value

California State University-Chico is a public institution in Chico with particular strength in business and psychology.

A large campus of 13.1K undergraduates with a 20:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

64% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $64,172 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $14,838.

Established

1887

Motto

"Today Decides Tomorrow"

Mascot

Willie the Wildcat

Type

Public university

Division

Division II

Campus Visits

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94%Acceptance

—SAT Avg

13,057Students

20:1Student:Faculty

64%Grad Rate

$64,172Earnings 10yr

$14,838Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate93.7%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$8,064

Tuition (out-of-state)$19,944

Room & Board$16,020

Books & Supplies$1,052

Total Cost of Attendance$25,590

Average Net Price$14,838

Median Debt at Graduation$16,552

Monthly Payment (10yr)$175

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$10,045

$30–48K$10,612

$48–75K$13,937

$75–110K$18,380

$110K+$23,572

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

67.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

1.6%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$14,500

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

Peer Average

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

24/7 campus police department, blue-light phone network, emergency mass notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

Burglary

Aggravated Assault

Robbery

Motor Vehicle Theft

Sex Offenses

Arson

Drug Arrests

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (120)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

84%

Mixed

Student Body

Undergrads

13,057

Gender Split

55% / 45%

Women / Men

First Generation

47%

Pell Grant Recipients

40%

Race & Ethnicity

White 42%

Black 3%

Hispanic 38%

Asian 6%

Two+ 6%

Int'l 1%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate63.6%

Freshman Retention83.7%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$50,493

10 Years$64,172

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News

#20

—

vs 2024

Forbes

#204

—

vs 2024

Wall Street Journal

#29

—

vs 2024

Washington Monthly

—

vs 2024

More About This School

Varsity Sports — Chico State

Cross countryGolf championships

History & Fun Facts

•Trinity Hall as seen from George Petersen Rose Garden On March 12, 1887, a legislative act was enacted to create the Northern Branch of the California State Normal School.
•On September 3, 1889, doors opened for the 90 enrolled students.
•The library opened on January 11, 1890, with 350 books.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

153Very High

Estimated from CA state average + city premium

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 30"Sunny days: 250Rainy days: 75

Nearest Cities

San Franciscopop. 870K

139 mi(241 min)

Portlandpop. 650K

402 mi(697 min)

Los Angelespop. 3.9M

440 mi(763 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

SMF Sacramento73 mi

SFO San Francisco148 mi

SJC San Jose164 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA2613 mi · ~75h 29m drive

New York, NY2493 mi · ~72h 1m drive

Hartford, CT2542 mi · ~73h 26m drive

Providence, RI2604 mi · ~75h 14m drive

Albany, NY2475 mi · ~71h 30m drive

Syracuse, NY2351 mi · ~67h 55m drive

Rochester, NY2277 mi · ~65h 47m drive

Buffalo, NY2216 mi · ~64h 1m drive

Philadelphia, PA2447 mi · ~70h 41m drive

Pittsburgh, PA2192 mi · ~63h 19m drive

Harrisburg, PA2354 mi · ~68h drive

Newark, NJ2484 mi · ~71h 46m drive

Washington, DC2370 mi · ~68h 28m drive

Baltimore, MD2385 mi · ~68h 54m drive

Atlanta, GA2099 mi · ~60h 38m drive

Charlotte, NC2250 mi · ~65h drive

Raleigh, NC2353 mi · ~67h 59m drive

Miami, FL2578 mi · ~74h 29m drive

Orlando, FL2417 mi · ~69h 49m drive

Tampa, FL2380 mi · ~68h 45m drive

Nashville, TN1914 mi · ~55h 18m drive

New Orleans, LA1912 mi · ~55h 14m drive

Richmond, VA2377 mi · ~68h 40m drive

Chicago, IL1784 mi · ~51h 32m drive

Detroit, MI2013 mi · ~58h 9m drive

Minneapolis, MN1495 mi · ~43h 11m drive

St. Louis, MO1688 mi · ~48h 46m drive

Kansas City, MO1451 mi · ~41h 55m drive

Indianapolis, IN1883 mi · ~54h 24m drive

Columbus, OH2044 mi · ~59h 3m drive

Cleveland, OH2090 mi · ~60h 23m drive

Milwaukee, WI1762 mi · ~50h 54m drive

Dallas, TX1470 mi · ~42h 28m drive

Houston, TX1645 mi · ~47h 31m drive

Austin, TX1506 mi · ~43h 30m drive

San Antonio, TX1501 mi · ~43h 22m drive

Los Angeles, CA440 mi · ~12h 43m drive

San Francisco, CA139 mi · ~4h 1m drive

San Diego, CA550 mi · ~15h 53m drive

Seattle, WA545 mi · ~15h 45m drive

Portland, OR402 mi · ~11h 37m drive

Denver, CO894 mi · ~25h 50m drive

Phoenix, AZ694 mi · ~20h 3m drive

Salt Lake City, UT529 mi · ~15h 17m drive

Honolulu, HI2469 mi · ~71h 20m drive

Mid-Atlantic / Central (moderate winters, warm summers)

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