California State University-Chico: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Chico, California · Public · Open access · CDS 2025-2026
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California State University-Chico is a public university in Chico, California that admits about 91% of applicants, making it a open access school. The average family pays about $14,480 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Business Administration, Management and Operations, Psychology, General and Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 60% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 1.8 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
California State University-Chico is a public institution located in Chico, California. For the most recent reporting cycle, California State University-Chico admits the majority of qualified applicants, with an overall admission rate of 91%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT around 1055. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $14,480 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for California State University-Chico?
61% of enrolled students at California State University-Chico had a high school GPA of 3.25 or above, and the average was 3.4, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.
What does California State University-Chico weight in admissions?
California State University-Chico reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2025-2026). What the weights mean
- • Academic GPA
- • Standardized test scores
- • Geographical residence
- • State residency
SAT and ACT scores California State University-Chico typically admits
Many applicants here submit scores; even slightly below the average can be competitive when combined with a strong GPA and curriculum.
| 25th percentile | 940 |
| 50th percentile | 1055 |
| 75th percentile | 1170 |
| % submitting SAT | 3% |
| 25th percentile | 19 |
| 50th percentile | 20 |
| 75th percentile | 26 |
| % submitting ACT | 0.5% |
- • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
- • Policy detail: Considered if submitted
Where admitted students ranked in their high school class
Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort — often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.
| Top 10% of class | 35% |
| Top 25% of class | 75% |
| Top 50% of class | 100% |
| % submitting class rank | 50% |
How much does California State University-Chico actually cost?
Published tuition is $8,472 for in-state students and $21,072 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $16,500 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $14,480 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 43% of students receive Pell Grants.
| In-state tuition | $6,450 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $19,552 |
| Room and board | $16,668 |
| Average net price (after aid) | $14,480 |
| Application fee | $70 (waivers available) |
Application deadlines and early decision data for California State University-Chico
| Regular deadline | 12/15 |
| Notification date | Rolling, beginning December 1 |
| Reply deadline | May 1 or within 2 weeks of notification |
| Rolling admissions | Yes |
Will my child graduate from California State University-Chico?
These predict outcomes at California State University-Chico better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at California State University-Chico
The most popular undergraduate programs at California State University-Chico, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Business Administration, Management and Operations, Psychology, General and Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. Across all programs, California State University-Chico confers roughly 1,891 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Business Administration, Management and Operations program report a median income of about $79,303 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 585 | $79,303 |
| Psychology, General | 346 | $52,482 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 216 | $55,139 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 196 | $46,684 |
| Sociology | 162 | $46,999 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 139 | $58,616 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 127 | $120,599 |
| Public Health | 120 | — |
Is California State University-Chico safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), California State University-Chico disclosed 24 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 1.8 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 4 violent offenses and 11 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
What is campus life like at California State University-Chico?
About 2% of undergraduates at California State University-Chico live in campus housing, so a meaningful share of students commute or live off campus. In Greek life, 8% of men join a fraternity and 8% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.
Other colleges in California parents ask about
- Sonoma State University93% acceptance
- California State University-East Bay97% acceptance
- California State University-San Bernardino94% acceptance
- California State University-Dominguez Hills93% acceptance
- California State University-Stanislaus98% acceptance
- California State University-Bakersfield94% acceptance
- California State University-Monterey Bay97% acceptance
- California State University-San Marcos95% acceptance
Next steps for California State University-Chico
Common questions parents ask about California State University-Chico
What GPA do I need for California State University-Chico?
61% of enrolled students at California State University-Chico had a high school GPA of 3.25 or above, and the average was 3.4, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.
What SAT or ACT score does California State University-Chico typically admit?
California State University-Chico does not publish standardized test ranges in the most recent reporting cycle. Scores are optional here, and a strong one can still help when the rest of the application is borderline.
How much does California State University-Chico actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at California State University-Chico after grants and scholarships is $14,480 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $8,472 and $21,072 out of state. Budget against the net figure.
Is California State University-Chico realistic for my child?
California State University-Chico admits 91% of applicants, so the transcript and course rigour carry the decision, with no published score band to place against. Then check the $14,480 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at California State University-Chico?
California State University-Chico accepts about 91% of applicants out of roughly 22,542 who apply each year. It admits the majority of qualified applicants.
Is California State University-Chico test-optional?
Yes. California State University-Chico is test-optional, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.
What is the graduation rate at California State University-Chico?
About 60% of students at California State University-Chico graduate within six years. 82% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.
What does California State University-Chico look for in applicants?
California State University-Chico rates GPA and test scores as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.
Is California State University-Chico a public or private school, and where is it located?
California State University-Chico is a public institution located in Chico, California.
What are the most popular majors at California State University-Chico?
The largest undergraduate majors at California State University-Chico by annual graduates are Business Administration, Management and Operations, Psychology, General and Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. The school awards about 1,891 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is California State University-Chico safe? What is its campus crime rate?
California State University-Chico reported 24 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 1.8 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
What is campus life like at California State University-Chico?
At California State University-Chico, 2% of undergraduates live on campus, 8% of men are in fraternities, 8% of women are in sororities, according to its most recent Common Data Set.
Sources: the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by California State University-Chico, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers