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California State University-Chico

#231 in US ranking Chico, CA
Type:
Public
Programs:
4 years or more

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California State University-Chico award
California State University-Chico award

Cost

Cost / year
$26,798
Tuition & fees
$8,896
Avg. aid
$11,291
Receiving aid
75%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
93%

Outcomes

Graduation rate
63%
Median salary
$46,754
1 yr after graduation

What does California State University-Chico offer in terms of athletics?

Chico State's Wildcats compete in NCAA Division II varsity athletics, primarily in the California Collegiate Athletic Association. The university fields teams in sports that include basketball, cross-country, soccer, and track and field, as well as baseball, softball, golf, and women's volleyball.

Varsity teams are only one way to participate in sports. Club sports, intramurals, and campus recreation serve different purposes and may offer more accessible routes for students who do not join an NCAA roster. A sport appearing in a general campus activity listing - such as badminton or rock climbing - should not be mistaken for a varsity team. Competition schedules, club recognition, and recreation offerings can change by year.

What student groups and Associations are available at California State University-Chico?

Chico State students can join recognized organizations focused on academics, careers, culture, service, recreation, faith, and shared interests. Student government and the Associated Students offer additional ways to take part in campus decisions and programming.

Examples named in campus organization information include the SAE Baja Club, which relates to hands-on vehicle engineering, and Christian Challenge and Cru, which are faith-based groups. Recognition and activity can change, so a name in an older directory is not proof that a club is meeting this semester. New students can use the current student-organization directory and involvement events to find active groups rather than relying on a static list.

Who studies at California State University-Chico?

Chico State enrolls approximately 15,257 students in the reported institutional figures. Its entering population includes substantial numbers of both first-time students and transfers: 2,197 first-time degree-seeking undergraduates enrolled in the reported year, alongside 2,059 transfer-in degree-seeking undergraduates.

The student body is predominantly from California; the reported geographic breakdown places 98% of students in the in-state category. Most enrolled students are in their late teens or early twenties, but the university also enrolls adults returning to or continuing higher education. Reported race and ethnicity counts include sizable White and Hispanic or Latino student populations, along with students from other backgrounds. These figures describe enrollment, not any individual student's interests or experience.

Chico State reports a student-to-faculty ratio of 22 to 1. That is an institution-wide measure, not a promise about the size of a particular lecture, laboratory, or seminar.

How does student life look like at California State University-Chico?

Student life at Chico State combines a campus near downtown with organized activities, recreation, and support services. Wildcat Welcome and other transition programming give new students structured opportunities to learn campus routines and meet peers.

The university reports a health clinic, personal counseling, and services for veterans among its student resources. Its student-run newspaper, radio station, theater activities, and choral groups offer additional ways to participate outside class. Residential students may find activities close to where they live, while commuters may need to plan deliberately around event times and travel. Neither experience can be inferred solely from whether housing is available on campus.

What libraries are available to students at California State University-Chico?

Meriam Library is Chico State's main academic library. Students can use it for collections, research help, and study space, including reservable study rooms.

Its value extends beyond physical books: library research services provide access to academic databases and journals that students may need for coursework. Students working remotely should check the library's instructions for off-campus access, while those planning late-night study should consult current building and study-area hours rather than assume every space is always open. Research assistance can be especially useful when a course calls for scholarly sources rather than general web results.

California State University-Chico Student Life for 2027

Total enrollment

15257

Full Time Degree Seeking Freshmen

1955

Member of Athletic Associations

NCAA

Total staff

435 full time, 420 part time

Veterans affair office

Yes

California State University-Chico Student Body

Undergraduate vs. graduate students

Undergraduate: 13,792
Graduate: 1,465

Full-time vs. part-time students

Full-time: 13,233
Part-time: 2,024

Full-time degree-seeking students by gender

Women: 1,180
Men: 775

Students by race/ethnicity

Hispanic or Latino: 5,257
Black or African American: 382
White: 5,614
American Indian or Alaska Native: 66
Asian: 674
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 30
Two or more races: 770
Unknown: 513

Freshly enrolled students' age

Under 25 years
Over 25 years

California State University-Chico Sports & Athletics

  • Member of NCAA

Varsity teams compete against other colleges, intramural teams within the school. Each column says whether men, women or both take part, and whether the sport offers athletic scholarships (Aid).

Sport

Varsity Intramural Aid

Badminton

–Both–

Baseball

MenMenMen

Basketball

BothBothMen

Cross-country running

BothBothMen

Football

–Both–

Golf

BothBothMen

Soccer

BothBothBoth

Softball

WomenWomen–

Table tennis

–Both–

Tennis

–Both–

Track and field

BothBothMen

Volleyball

Women––

Data last updated on November 5, 2026

Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026

Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.

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