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    California State University-Chico

    csuchico.edu Black Arrow Icon
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    Overview

    California State University-Chico is a public 4-year college located in Chico, California. There are currently 12,853 undergraduates at Chico and the school’s acceptance rate is 95%. The tuition at Chico is $7,972 for in-state students and $19,852 for out-of-state.

    California State University-Chico
    11 City
    Urban institutions typically offer more options when it comes to internships, jobs, community service, research positions, social lives, and more. However, some may find the city distracting, and the cost of living is typically higher.

    Scholarships & Financial Aid

    $26,728

    Sticker Price
    Sticker Price

    $23,030

    Average Annual Aid
    Average Annual Aid

    $15,578

    Average Annual Cost
    Average Annual Cost

    Cost Breakdown


    In-State
    Tuition
    $7,972
    Books & Supplies
    $1,210
    Room & Board
    $15,212
    Other
    $2,334

    In-State Estimated Cost:

    $26,728

    for the 2023-2024 Academic Year

    Out-of-State
    Tuition
    $19,852
    Books & Supplies
    $1,210
    Room & Board
    $15,212
    Other
    $2,334

    Out-Of-State Estimated Cost:

    $38,608

    for the 2023-2024 Academic Year

    Since Chico is a public university, there are different costs for in-state students and out-of-state students. The sticker price at Chico is $26,728 for in-state students in CA, and $38,608 for out-of-state students. This sticker price includes costs for tuition, books and supplies, room and board, and other miscellaneous expenses.


    It’s also important to note that the cost of attendance can vary from year to year and typically it will rise over your four years in college. With that said, your financial aid will also be recalculated every year to take any price increases, as well as any changes in your financial situation, into account.


    College costs can look different for every student based on their financial situation. To get a more accurate picture of what tuition at Chico would look like for you, try entering your financial information into their Net Price Calculator.

    California State University-Chico Financial Aid

    Students who are applying for financial aid at California State University-Chico need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA). The FAFSA uses financial information from the prior, prior year which means that you don’t need to wait for the year to end and can use last year’s financial information.


    The FAFSA code for California State University-Chico is 001146.


    If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA, check out our How to Complete the FAFSA Guide.

    Using State Grants at Chico

    If you reside in California and are considering Chico, be sure to investigate the Cal Grant. You can apply by submitting your FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application, but you must meet the program's deadline in order to qualify. If you meet financial and other requirements, you may receive over $14,000 per year towards education expenses. The amount received depends on the type of institution you attend and your financial need.

    Western Undergraduate Tuition Exchange

    Chico is in a state that participates in the Western Undergraduate Tuition Exchange program. That means if you are a resident of Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, or Wyoming, you may be eligible for discounted tuition at Chico. Check out the full list of requirements and participating schools on their website.

    Pell Grants at California State University-Chico

    40% of students at California State University-Chico receive Pell Grants, which are awarded to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need (students who have a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible). Pell Grants are awarded by the federal government and do not need to be repaid. To apply for a Pell Grant, students will need to submit their FAFSA. If you are awarded a Pell Grant, you’ll see it listed in your financial aid award letter if you are accepted to California State University-Chico.


    You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.

    Outside Scholarships

    Chico students can also apply for outside scholarships to fund their education. Outside scholarships are awards that are offered by private and non-profit organizations. If you want to see what outside scholarships you are eligible for, check out these resources:


    California State University-Chico Financial Aid Resources

    If you are looking for more information about financial aid and scholarships at Chico or have questions that are specific to your personal situation, we recommend that you reach out directly to the financial aid office!


    Here’s how you can get in touch:


    Admissions

    95%

    Admission Rate

    Is Chico test-optional?

    California State University-Chico is test-blind, which means that it does not allow applicants to submit their SAT or ACT scores. That means that they won’t consider these scores from any applicant. Decisions are based more heavily on grades, extracurricular activities, essays, interviews, and other factors.

    Academics

    Student/Faculty Ratio

    Student/Faculty Ratio 20:1

    Graduation Rate

    Graduation Rate 64%

    Popular Majors

    Percent of Students

    Business, Management, & Marketing

    14%

    14% of graduates

    Social Sciences

    10%

    10% of graduates

    Health Professions & Related Programs

    9%

    9% of graduates

    Psychology

    8%

    8% of graduates

    Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies

    7%

    7% of graduates

    Engineering

    6%

    6% of graduates

    Visual & Performing Arts

    6%

    6% of graduates

    Liberal Arts & Humanities

    5%

    5% of graduates

    Agriculture & Agriculture Operations

    5%

    5% of graduates

    Communications & Journalism

    4%

    4% of graduates

    Computer & Information Sciences

    4%

    4% of graduates

    Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting & Related Protective Services

    3%

    3% of graduates

    Biological & Biomedical Sciences

    3%

    3% of graduates

    Engineering

    3%

    3% of graduates

    Education

    2%

    2% of graduates

    Public Administration & Social Services

    2%

    2% of graduates

    English Language & Literature

    2%

    2% of graduates

    Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies.

    1%

    1% of graduates

    History

    1%

    1% of graduates

    Mathematics

    1%

    1% of graduates

    Natural Resources & Conservation

    1%

    1% of graduates

    Philosophy & Religious Studies

    1%

    1% of graduates

    Show More

    Student Body

    Undergraduate Students

    Undergraduate Students 12,853

    Pell Grant 41%

    Undergrad Students Over 25 15%

    Part-Time Undergrad Students 10%

    Percent Male / Female 46% / 54%

    Ethnic Diversity at Chico

    43% White

    38% Hispanic

    6% Asian / Pacific Islander

    5% Multiracial

    3% Unknown

    3% Black

    1% International / Non-Citizen

    Student Outcomes


    Graduate Income

    Graduate Income $64,172

    Median Debt $16,552

    Debt 10 years after graduation $175

    Graduation Rate 64%

    What is the graduation rate at California State University-Chico?

    64% of students who start at California State University-Chico end up finishing their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 6% more than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.

    How much do graduates of California State University-Chico go on to earn?

    10 years after starting school at California State University-Chico, the median earnings among students who received federal financial aid was $64,172. This is $13,781 more than the national median.


    Earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Your major and career path can cause substantial changes in your income down the line. For more information, check out our article on the average starting salary out of college.

    How much do students at Chico take out in loans?

    Graduates of Chico have to take out a median of $16,552 in federal student loans. This is $3,052 more than the national median. As you make decisions about your college loans, it’s important to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Our guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.

    Data Sources

    We strive to provide users with the most up-to-date information and source data from publicly available sources, including the College Scorecard and directly from the colleges. College statistics can change throughout the year, but we do our best to update them as quickly as possible. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.

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