California State University-Chico is a public 4-year college in Chico, California with 13,631 undergraduates. It admits 93% of applicants, costs an average of $14,157 a year after grants and graduates 60% of its students.
Figures from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, released October 15, 2026. What each number covers.
California State University-Chico acceptance rate and admissions
California State University-Chico admitted 93% of applicants for fall 2024. The median acceptance rate at 4-year colleges is 77%.
Test scores: Neither required nor recommended (as reported for fall 2024 admission). That means you can apply without SAT or ACT scores. Check the admissions office for the current policy.
California State University-Chico tuition, cost and net price
| Tuition and fees, in-state (2025-26) | $8,896 |
|---|---|
| Tuition and fees, out-of-state (2025-26) | $22,216 |
| On-campus housing and food (2025-26) | $16,668 |
| Total cost of attendance (2024-25) | $26,798 |
| Average net price after grants (2024-25) | $14,157 |
Students who get federal aid pay an average of $14,157 a year after grants and scholarships, $12,641 less than the full cost of attendance. This figure covers in-state students.
What families pay, by income
Average yearly cost after grants for aided first-time students paying in-state tuition, by family income (2024-25):
Your own price depends on your family's full situation. Run California State University-Chico's net price calculator for a personal estimate, or make a "what it costs us" card.
California State University-Chico graduation rate, earnings and debt
- 60% of first-time, full-time students finished within six years (students who started in 2019).
- Former students earned a median of $70,012 a year, 10 years after they started (students who received federal aid and were working).
- Students who completed left with a median of $14,259 in federal student loans.
Earnings compared
Debt compared
Median debt is 20% of median earnings 10 years after entry. Many advisers suggest keeping total student debt below one year of expected pay. See the monthly payment.
California State University-Chico majors and what graduates earn
California State University-Chico awarded bachelor's degrees in 59 fields recently. The best-paid graduates four years out came from computer science ($127,498).
All 59 majors at California State University-Chico
| Major | Graduates (2023-24) | Earnings 1 yr after | Earnings 4 yrs after | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer science | 75 | $86,125 | $127,498 | $17,500 |
| Nursing | 94 | $114,417 | $117,543 | $17,477 |
| Engineering, Other | 21 | n/a | $103,272 | n/a |
| Computer engineering | 8 | n/a | $97,345 | n/a |
| Mechanical engineering | 64 | $74,209 | $93,555 | $18,000 |
| Civil engineering | 47 | $81,083 | $92,472 | $17,375 |
| Computer and information sciences | 65 | $55,549 | $91,059 | $14,852 |
| Engineering-Related Fields | 8 | $78,346 | $86,430 | n/a |
| Mathematics | 27 | $37,564 | $77,891 | n/a |
| Microbiological Sciences and Immunology | 15 | $44,596 | $74,888 | n/a |
| Business administration | 468 | $54,000 | $72,651 | $13,305 |
| Biology | 67 | $40,177 | $71,726 | $22,984 |
| Environmental science | 37 | $43,037 | $69,531 | $13,009 |
| Geography | 7 | $52,155 | $69,500 | n/a |
| Health professions, general | 1 | $51,116 | $69,303 | n/a |
| Plant and soil science | 33 | $45,257 | $68,629 | $12,767 |
| Economics | 18 | $50,550 | $67,675 | n/a |
| Agribusiness | 49 | $56,503 | $65,198 | $16,875 |
| Journalism | 30 | $45,400 | $63,358 | $19,800 |
| Speech-language pathology | 41 | $25,055 | $62,855 | $11,000 |
| Agriculture, General | 41 | n/a | $61,369 | $17,094 |
| Political science | 52 | $44,275 | $61,293 | $13,500 |
| Biochemistry and molecular biology | 18 | $40,406 | $60,367 | n/a |
| Parks and recreation | 64 | $45,695 | $59,765 | $18,750 |
| Nutrition Sciences | 29 | n/a | $59,146 | n/a |
| Criminal justice | 123 | $38,561 | $58,464 | $16,001 |
| Communication | 90 | $41,856 | $58,391 | $14,000 |
| Social work | 66 | $46,652 | $57,146 | $12,410 |
| Romance languages | 18 | $46,552 | $56,144 | $17,687 |
| Natural Sciences | 6 | n/a | $55,102 | n/a |
| Liberal arts and general studies | 204 | $31,996 | $55,008 | $11,000 |
| Public administration | 8 | n/a | $54,714 | n/a |
| Kinesiology and exercise science | 158 | $34,520 | $52,978 | $15,881 |
| Psychology | 265 | $37,176 | $52,621 | $13,729 |
| Sociology | 168 | $43,158 | $52,323 | $15,509 |
| International relations | 8 | n/a | $52,150 | n/a |
| Social Sciences, General | 57 | $41,661 | $50,845 | $14,342 |
| History | 36 | $33,731 | $49,351 | n/a |
| English | 57 | $27,603 | $49,189 | $12,371 |
| Animal science | 79 | $40,373 | $48,474 | $15,419 |
| Fine and studio arts | 54 | $35,521 | $45,468 | $17,594 |
| Graphic and industrial design | 99 | $32,019 | $44,629 | $14,937 |
| Anthropology | 41 | $34,898 | $43,153 | $12,780 |
| Music | 28 | $34,293 | $42,269 | $10,673 |
| Area Studies | 15 | n/a | $41,818 | n/a |
| Public health | 130 | $41,491 | n/a | $15,000 |
| Construction Engineering Technology/Technician | 105 | $94,934 | n/a | $18,625 |
| Teacher education by grade level | 68 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Electrical engineering | 27 | n/a | n/a | $20,000 |
| Radio, TV and digital media | 16 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Theater | 16 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | 12 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Religious studies | 9 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Physics | 8 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Philosophy | 7 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Geology and earth sciences | 5 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians | 4 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 2 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Chemistry | 2 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Four-year earnings: graduates of 2017-18 and 2018-19, measured in 2022 and 2023, in 2024 dollars. Fields with few graduates have no published earnings.
Graduate programs at California State University-Chico
25 graduate programs awarded degrees recently. Largest first.
Show 25 graduate programs
| Program | Degree | Graduates (2023-24) | Earnings 1 yr after | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Social work | Master's | 108 | $67,519 | $15,000 |
| Business administration | Master's | 108 | $91,421 | $35,500 |
| Computer science | Master's | 32 | n/a | n/a |
| Psychology | Master's | 25 | $65,304 | $35,500 |
| Speech-language pathology | Master's | 24 | $72,261 | $28,000 |
| Education | Master's | 18 | n/a | n/a |
| Teacher education by subject | Master's | 18 | $80,363 | n/a |
| Teacher education by grade level | Master's | 17 | n/a | n/a |
| Public administration | Master's | 17 | n/a | n/a |
| Nutrition Sciences | Master's | 13 | n/a | n/a |
| Kinesiology and exercise science | Master's | 13 | n/a | n/a |
| English | Master's | 9 | n/a | n/a |
| Anthropology | Master's | 8 | n/a | n/a |
| Political science | Master's | 8 | n/a | n/a |
| Interdisciplinary studies, other | Master's | 7 | n/a | n/a |
| Environmental science | Master's | 5 | n/a | n/a |
| Social Sciences, General | Master's | 5 | n/a | n/a |
| History | Master's | 5 | n/a | n/a |
| Biology | Master's | 4 | n/a | n/a |
| Communication | Master's | 3 | n/a | n/a |
| Nursing | Master's | 3 | n/a | n/a |
| Parks and recreation | Master's | 1 | n/a | n/a |
| Geology and earth sciences | Master's | 1 | n/a | n/a |
| Fine and studio arts | Master's | 1 | n/a | n/a |
| Computer engineering | Master's | 0 | n/a | n/a |
Students and location
- 13,631 degree-seeking undergraduates (fall 2024)
- 56% women, 44% men
- 23 students for every faculty member
- Setting: midsize city
- Accredited by Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
Frequently asked questions
What is the acceptance rate at California State University-Chico?
California State University-Chico admitted 93% of applicants for fall 2024, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
How much does California State University-Chico cost?
Tuition and fees for 2025-26 are $8,896 for in-state students and $22,216 for out-of-state students. After grants and scholarships, aided students paid an average net price of $14,157 a year in 2024-25.
Is California State University-Chico test-optional?
For fall 2024 admission, California State University-Chico reported that test scores were: neither required nor recommended. Policies change, so confirm with the admissions office.
What is the graduation rate at California State University-Chico?
60% of first-time, full-time students finished within six years.
How much do California State University-Chico graduates make?
Former students who received federal aid earned a median of $70,012 a year 10 years after they started, in 2024 dollars.
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More: all colleges in California · California State University-Chico on the College Scorecard
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, data release of October 15, 2026. What each figure means and the year it covers.