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California State University Chico

Chico, California

13,504 Students on Campus
Chico Location
21,132 Metro Population
13,504 Students on Campus
Chico Location
21,132 Metro Population

About This Campus

Chico State, founded in 1887 and situated on 119 acres in downtown Chico, is a residential campus in a true college town with Big Chico Creek running through the middle. Our students come from 40 nations and 31 states. The second oldest campus within the California State University system, Chico has nearly 13,000 students with a 28:1 student to faculty ratio and a class size average of 31. Chico is home to Bidwell Park, the 3rd largest municipal park in California. The park, established in 1905, totals 3,670 acres. Outdoor activities abound with swimming, picnicking, ball fields and miles of bike paths and trails for biking, jogging, walking, and hiking. Chico maintains a designation as a Bronze Bicycle Friendly Community. Its central location allows for easy access to skiing in the mountains, swimming in the ocean, boating, etc. Thursday night and Saturday morning Farmers Markets and free Friday Night Concerts happen in downtown Chico every week!

Ranked #8 Best Value University in the West by U.S. News and World Report.

Most Wildcats live, learn, and work within walking or biking distance to campus.

Multiple programs at Chico State proudly claim 100% job placement rates.

Helpful Information

Once NSE students accept their placement, the registration process is simple and completed via an online platform. The NSE Campus Coordinator will be students’ main point of contact through the process. Chico is a great small college town that is easily accessible to explore by shuttle, biking and walking. The WREC is a fully equipped university gym, campus has 200+ organizations, Adventure Outings provides excursion across California, and CAVE offers opportunities to get involved in the community.

Location Information

Chico is 90 miles north of Sacramento, 174 miles northeast of San Francisco, 8 miles from the Sacramento River, and 2 miles from the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. Bidwell Park has a total of 3,670 acres, making it one of the largest municipal parks in the United States. Chico is 230 feet above sea level, and has an average of 249 clear days in a typical year. The average annual rainfall is 28 inches. The population of Butte County (2022 estimate) is 207,303.

Academics

REGISTRATION:
TERM DATES:

Fall Start Date: 08/24/2026 - Fall End Date: 12/18/2026

Spring Start Date: 01/25/2027 - Spring End Date: 05/21/2026

CLOSED PROGRAMS:

Nursing and Recording Arts are closed to all NSE.

RESTRICTED/LIMITED PROGRAMS:

Potentially limited access to Social Work.

OTHER ACADEMIC INFORMATION:

No students accepted from NSE members within my own state.

NOTABLE ACADEMICS PROGRAMS:
  • Advanced Manufacturing and Applied Robotics Program — Chico State’s Advanced Manufacturing and Applied Robotics program focuses on the expertise and skills needed to manage the direction of robotics and automated processes designed to increase speed, efficiency and reduce redundancy in the manufacturing workplace. The program emphasizes project-based learning where students apply fundamentals to solve real-world problems and develop teamwork skills. https://www.csuchico.edu/mmem/programs/bs-advanced-manufacturing-applied-robotics/index.shtml
  • Business Information Systems (BIS) — Offers students access unique programs including SAP. The College of Business is accredited by AACSB. http://www.csuchico.edu/cob/news/index.shtml
  • Concrete Industry Management — In addition to the theoretical work, Concrete Industry Management offers students opportunities to engage in real time projects. Unique in the Western United States. http://www.csuchico.edu/cim/
  • Forensic Anthropology — This is one of a limited number of programs offering a certificate in forensic anthropology. Students have the opportunity to work with local law enforcement agencies on forensic cases. https://www.csuchico.edu/anth/programs/undergraduate/index.shtml#forensic
UNIQUE ACADEMICS PROGRAMS:
  • Computer Animation and Game Development — Since 1999, the Computer Animation and Game Development Program (CAGD) has been offering industry-standard techniques and practices to students who aspire toward careers in technology and creativity. https://www.csuchico.edu/cagd/index.shtml
OPTIONS:

Honors Access: Yes

UNDERGRADUATE MAJORS OPEN TO NSE STUDENTS:

Conditions

GPA AND OTHER ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS:
EXCHANGE PREFERENCES:
  • Full Year Exchange: Preferred
  • Single Term Exchange: Accepted
  • Summer Exchange: Not Available
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS (Visa Students):
  • Receive from Canada: Not Participating
  • Does your campus accept International Students (those already in the U.S. on a student visa)?
CANADIAN EXCHANGE:
Learn More
  • Accept international students studying in Canada on a visa? - No
  • Accept Canadian students on J1 visa or F1 visa? -

Tuition/Finance

Figures per Semester are current as of 11/26/2025
TUITION:
  • Campus Budget
  • Fees are subject to change without notice
  • Home Tuition Payment: Available
  • Away Tuition Payment: Available
    Estimated cost:
    Per Term Tuition (Resident-Rate) - $3225
    Per Term Mandatory Fees - $1223
MAXIMUM CREDIT HOURS PER SEMESTER:
  • Home Payment: 20
  • Host Payment: 21
MISCELLANEOUS FEES:
Purpose
Amount
Period
Plan
Status
Housing Fee
$1473
Year
Away & Home
Optional
ID Card
$2
Term
Away & Home
Mandatory
Parking Fee
$130
Term
Away & Home
Optional
NSE Program Fee
$200
Term
Away & Home
Mandatory
IMPORTANT NOTES:

The Housing Deposit is required for students that apply to live on-campus through University Housing. For more information, visit the University Housing website: https://www.csuchico.edu/housing/cost/index.shtml

Financial Aid for NSE Students. Regardless of Payment Plan, financial aid is awarded by and disbursed from your home campus.

Room/Meals

Figures per Semester are current as of 11/26/2025
ON-CAMPUS HOUSING PER SEMESER:
  • Is on-campus housing available? Yes
  • Is on-campus living required? No
  • Number of reserved housing spaces: 0
  • Average Room Cost (per term): $8334
  • On-Campus Housing
Off-CAMPUS HOUSING:
NOTES ABOUT ON-CAMPUS HOUSING:

On-campus housing is only available for students who apply to reside in on-campus housing for the academic year or for the spring semester-only. Students must apply on or before the application deadline to be considered. On-campus housing placements are not available for students who apply for NSE for the fall semester-only. For more information about how to apply for on-campus housing, deadlines, costs, etc., visit the University Housing website: https://www.csuchico.edu/housing/index.shtml.

NOTES ABOUT OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING:

There are many student-friendly accommodations available in privately owned apartments, houses, and rooms in Chico. Most are within walking distance of campus and students ride the city bus for free. For our students who are looking for housing outside of campus residences, neither University Housing nor Chico State provides, manages or partners with outside, privately owned housing in Chico, California.

MEAL PLANS:
  • Are meal plans available on campus? Yes
  • Is a meal plan purchase required for on-campus, non-apartment residence halls? Yes
  • Average Meal Plan Cost (per term): $0
  • Campus Meal Plans
NOTES ABOUT MEAL PLANS:

For more information about on-campus meal plans, visit the University Housing website: https://www.csuchico.edu/housing/cost/index.shtml

Fees are subject to change without notice.

Chance of Acceptance

Priority Placements for Academic Year 26/27

If this is your top choice campus...

Home Tuition Payment Plan

Good

This campus accepts many (50-74%) applicants. You definitely want to consider adding alternate choice campuses marked as OPEN or EXCELLENT to ensure placement.

Away Tuition Payment Plan

Open

This campus usually accepts all eligible applicants. Apply and start packing your bags!

If this is your alternate choice campus...

Home Tuition Payment Plan

Limited

This campus usually accepts less than 50% of students that request it. Be prepared to be placed at an alternative choice. If applying to a site with a 'limited' chance of placement, we suggest that you list a minimum of 3-5 campuses on your application, with one to two sites that have an OPEN or EXCELLENT chance of acceptance.

Away Tuition Payment Plan

Excellent

This campus accepts most (75%+) applicants. You may want to consider adding alternate choice campuses marked as OPEN or EXCELLENT to ensure placement.

Resources

CAMPUS SOCIAL MEDIA: