Overview of California State University, Chico

California State University, Chico, is a public institution with an acceptance rate of 65%. The institution offers over 300 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. A robust student/faculty ratio backs students, and professors take a personalized approach to the teaching and learning process. Outside of the classroom, students will find plenty of opportunities to engage with the campus community via the university’s many clubs and organizations.

Enrollment

• Total Enrollment: 17,488 (16,420 undergraduates)
• Gender Breakdown: 47 percent male/53 percent female
• 93 percent full-time

Cost of Attendance Information

• Tuition and Fees: $7,578 (in-state); $19,458 (out-of-state)
• Books: $1,970
• Room and Board: $12,390
• Other Expenses: $2,796
• Total Cost: $24,734 (in-state); $36,614 (out-of-state)

Financial Aid Information

• Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 76 percent
• Percentage of New Students Receiving Types of Aid
  • Grants: 66 percent
  • Loans: 47 percent

• Average Amount of Aid
  • Grants: $8,778
  • Loans: $5,781

Academic Programs Offered

• Most Popular Majors: Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Health Professions and Related Programs; Social Sciences; Parks, Recreation, Leisure, and Fitness Studies; and Psychology

Retention and Graduation

• First-Year Student Retention (full-time students): 85 percent
• Transfer-Out Rate: 4 percent
• 4-Year Graduation Rate: 28 percent
• 6-Year Graduation Rate: 66 percent

NCAA Athletic Programs

• Men’s Sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Soccer, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball
• Women’s Sports: Basketball, Golf, Soccer, Softball, Track and Field, Volleyball
• The Chico State Wildcats play in the NCAA Division II California Collegiate Athletic Association

Overview of California State University, Chico Admissions

Cal State Chico, which accepts two-thirds of applicants, has a somewhat selective admissions process. The admission process is not holistic. Applicants must complete an online application, and send test scores from either the SAT or ACT and high school transcripts. Applicants don’t need to send essays or recommendation letters. Instead, admissions are decided by test scores and GPA. This institution wants to see outstanding grades in the most rigorous classes possible; Advanced Placement, IB, Honors, and dual enrollment classes— the more challenging your high school courses were, the better. Interested students should check out the university’s website, which has helpful tips and contact information for the admissions offices.

Admissions Data

Throughout the 2018-19 admissions phase, Chico State had an acceptance rate of 65%.  for every 100 students who submitted applications, 65 students gained admission, making Cal State, Chico’s admissions process somewhat competitive.

SAT Requirements and Scores

Cal State Chico requires that applicants submit either SAT or ACT scores. Throughout the 2018-19 admissions phase, 89% of admitted students provided SAT scores.

This admissions data tells us that Cal State Chico’s admitted students scored in the top 35% on the SAT. 50% of students admitted to Cal State Chico scored between 500 and 600 for the reading and writing section, while 25% scored below 500, and 25% scored over 600. In the math section, 50% of students who gained admission scored 500 and 590, while 25% scored below 500, and 25% scored over 590. Applicants with a cumulative SAT score of 1190 or higher will have competitive chances at Cal State Chico.

ACT Requirements and Scores

Chico State requires that applicants submit either SAT or ACT scores. Throughout the 2018-19 admissions phase, 36% of admitted students provided ACT scores.

This admissions data tells us that Cal State Chico’s admitted students scored in the bottom 40% on the ACT. The median 50% of students admitted to Chico State received a cumulative ACT score between 18 and 24, while 25% scored over 24 and 25% scored below 18.

GPA

The average high school GPA for Cal State Chico freshmen was 3.41 in 2019. This data suggests that successful applicants to Chico State have B grades primarily.

Safety Net Schools: Easy to Gain Admission

If past admission data predicts that you would be a competitive candidate for Cal State Chico, then it should be easy for you to gain admissions to the schools below. If Cal State Chico is currently out of your reach, then you are sure to be a competitive candidate for the schools below.

University of Texas at El Paso, University of California, Merced, California State University Sacramento, California State University Northridge, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Kean University, California State University Los Angeles

Same Tier: Just As Hard to Gain Admission

If you’re a competitive candidate for Cal State Chico, then you should have an equal chance of gaining admissions at these schools.

Washington State University, East Carolina University, Texas State University, Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis, Georgia State University, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Reach Institutions: Gaining Admissions Will Be More of a Challenge

These schools are more challenging to gain admission into than Cal State Chico. If you improve your GPA and SAT/ACT scores, then you’ll be a competitive candidate for these schools.

Quinnipiac University, Ohio University, University of Alabama, Pace University, University of North Texas, California State University Long Beach, Florida Gulf Coast University 

Applying to Cal State Chico

Application Deadline: November 30

Undergraduate Admissions Website:

https://www.csuchico.edu/admissions/

Undergraduate Application Link(s):

https://www.csuchico.edu/admissions/apply/index.shtml

Graduate Admissions Website:

https://www.csuchico.edu/graduatestudies/prospective-students/apply/graduate-admissions.shtml

Graduate Application Link(s):

https://www2.calstate.edu/apply/graduate