California State University-Chico

Chico, CA · Public · offers Graduate degrees

Midsize city

93%Acceptance rate
$14,480Average net price / year
63%Graduation rate
$64,172Median earnings 10 yrs after entry
$16,552Median debt at graduation
13,631Undergraduates

Cost

In-state tuition & fees
$8,472
Out-of-state tuition
$21,072
Total cost of attendance
$26,283
Room & board
$16,500
Books & supplies
$1,096
Average net price
$14,480

Net price by family income

$0–30k
$9,902
$30–48k
$10,099
$48–75k
$12,961
$75–110k
$16,506
$110k+
$23,566

Official net price calculator

Admissions

Acceptance rate
92.7%

Outcomes

Graduation rate
63%
First-year retention
82%
Median earnings (6 yrs)
$50,493
Median earnings (10 yrs)
$64,172
Median debt (graduates)
$16,552
3-year loan default rate
0.0%
Students with Pell grants
43%
Students with federal loans
32%

Programs: what graduates earn

68 of 122 programs have published earnings or debt data. Earnings are median salaries of graduates one year after completing the program (or the latest available year).

Bachelor's degree

ProgramGraduatesEarningsMedian debt
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing113$113,181$16,500
Construction Management—$89,075$19,341
Construction Engineering Technology/Technician116$88,648$20,761
Computer Science66$81,021$20,000
Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians—$77,965$18,822
Engineering, Other30$74,204$22,500
Mechanical Engineering88$73,297$22,353
Civil Engineering58$72,350$21,125
Engineering-Related Fields15$69,042$17,500
Accounting and Related Services—$60,606$16,875
Computer and Information Sciences, General78$49,967$18,972
Microbiological Sciences and Immunology16$49,068$23,500
Agricultural Business and Management69$47,937$11,250
Business Administration, Management and Operations503$46,145$16,750
Public Health122$45,339$20,500
Plant Sciences22$43,944$13,826
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology11$42,886$22,000
Political Science and Government67$41,893$20,000
Geography and Cartography17$40,380—
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General6$40,057$19,331
International Relations and National Security Studies10$39,060$15,000
Communication and Media Studies94$38,421$16,125
Mathematics36$38,212$16,500
Economics27$37,432$18,300
Biology, General89$37,120$17,600
Sociology158$36,992$14,000
Social Work63$36,840$15,829
Social Sciences, General52$36,382$13,987
Criminal Justice and Corrections152$36,045$15,000
Journalism21$35,668$18,618
Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies49$33,920$17,886
Natural Resources Conservation and Research29$33,758$20,500
Animal Sciences98$33,387$17,606
Psychology, General313$31,827$15,000
Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services—$31,673$17,375
History47$30,697$16,838
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services—$30,441$16,722
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services54$29,297$16,148
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness180$28,236$20,500
Anthropology45$27,856$18,263
Design and Applied Arts85$27,573$18,227
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities184$27,196$15,688
English Language and Literature, General56$27,045$15,000
Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences—$25,952$18,750
Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies—$25,525$15,375
Nutrition Sciences34$25,490$17,272
Music44$25,339$23,500
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas0$24,427$22,358
Area Studies17$23,149$16,500
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics13$22,917$17,200
Fine and Studio Arts54$22,628$14,990
Management Information Systems and Services—$51,632—
Agriculture, General52$56,428$14,750
Computer Engineering8$97,345—
Public Administration6$54,714—
Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology—$64,274—
Natural Sciences8$55,102—

Master's degree

Non-credential program

Students

Undergraduates
13,631
Graduate students
1,721
Part-time
9%
Women / men
56% / 44%
White
41%
Hispanic
39%
Black
3%
Asian
5%
International
1%

Faculty & school

Student–faculty ratio
23:1
Avg faculty salary
$104,976 / year
Full-time faculty
56%
Accreditor
Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
Website
www.csuchico.edu
Also known as
NA

Most popular fields

  • Agriculture – 6% of degrees
  • Communication & Journalism – 4% of degrees
  • Computer & Information Sciences – 4% of degrees
  • Engineering – 5% of degrees
  • Liberal Arts & General Studies – 8% of degrees
  • Parks, Recreation & Fitness – 5% of degrees

Frequently asked questions

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

92.7% of applicants were admitted.

How much does California State University-Chico cost?

The average net price after grants is $14,480 per year; in-state tuition and fees are $8,472 and the full cost of attendance is $26,283.

How much do California State University-Chico graduates earn?

Students who enrolled earn a median of $64,172 ten years later. See the program table above for salaries by major.

What is the graduation rate?

63% of first-time, full-time students graduate within 150% of normal time.

Other colleges in Chico

CollegeNet priceAcceptanceGraduationEarnings
Butte County Regional Occupational Program
Chico, CA · Public · 41 students
$15,737—88%—
Cal Northern School of Law
Chico, CA · Private for-profit
————

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, June 2026 release.