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F A S T   F A C T S
Location | Chico
Population | 207,172
Enrollment | 14,581
Language | English
Calendar | Semester
Canada | N/A

Term Dates
Fall | 08/25-12/19
Spring | 01/20-05/15

California State University, Chico

Chico, CA
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.

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!

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 (2021 estimate) is 208,309.

Helpful Information

Once NSE students accept their placement, the registration process is simple and completed via an online platform. 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.
2025-2026 Chance of Placement
Host Payment |Open
Home Payment |Closed
Campus Availability & Deadlines
2026-2027 Chance of Placement
Host Payment |Open
Home Payment |Limited
Understand Chances of Placement

Academics

RegistrationClosed Programs
Nursing and Recording Arts are closed to all NSE.

Limitations
Potentially limited access to Social Work.

Notable Academic Programs

  • Business Information Systems - 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
  • 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

Unique Academic 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

Accounting, Adapted Physical Education, Advertising... ++ show all

Conditions

GPA and Other Academic Requirements Exchange Preferences
  • Full-year exchange Preferred
  • Single term exchange Accepted
Non-Native English Speakers
  • TOEFL: must have a score of 500.00 paper or 61.00 Internet
  • IELTS: must have a score of 6.00
Summer Exchange
  • Not available
International Students (Visa Students)
  • Will not accept
Canadian Students - learn more
  • Will NOT accept

Tuition / Finances

Figures per Semester are current as of 06/11/25

Finances Tuition and Fees Per Semester - Host Payment Students
  • Pay resident-rate tuition to your host campus. No tuition/fees are paid to your home campus
  • Estimated cost: $4448.
  • Figures are based on full-time enrollment.
Tuition and Fees - Home Payment Students
  • Pay regular tuition to your home campus. No tuition/fees are paid to your host campus.
Maximum Credit Hours Per Semester
  • Host Payment: 16
  • Home Payment: 16

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

Miscellaneous Fees - Per Semester

Purpose Amount Period Plan Status
NSE Program Fee $200 Semester Host & Home Mandatory
Housing Deposit $1473 Year Host & Home Optional
ID Card $2 Semester Host & Home Mandatory
Parking Fee $130 Semester Host & Home Optional
Course Fees / MaterialsVariesSemesterHost & HomeMandatory

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

Room / Meals

Figures are current as of 06/11/25

On-Campus Housing Per Semester Off-Campus Housing
  • Off-Campus Housing
  • Approximate monthly cost: $1312
  • Proximity to campus:
  • Local Public Transportation Available to Campus
Notes About 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.

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

Health

Figures per Semester are current as of 06/11/25

Important Notes about Health Insurance
All students are required to submit a copy of their valid health insurance coverage for the period of their exchange term(s) at the time of their Chico State NSE application.

Requirements

Comments on Problems or Conditions for Access
Detailed information at:
https://www.csuchico.edu/arc/

Other Health Related Comments
California State University (CSU) requires all students to be current on a number of immunizations and to complete a risk assessment for tuberculosis (CSU Executive Order 803).

This executive order applies to undergraduate and graduate students, students matriculated in self-support degree programs and K-12 students participating in concurrent enrollment courses entering the California State University (CSU) in or after fall 2023.

Students are required to provide evidence of Hepatitis B, Measles, Mumps & Rubella Immunization, Varicella (Chickenpox), Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis (Tdap), Meningococcal Disease (Serogroups A, C, Y, W-135), and a Tuberculosis Screening/Risk Assessment (TB).

To have their immunization record verified by the WellCat Health Center, students need to upload an image or scan into their patient portal. Students can find the upload link under the "Medical Clearances" tab.

For more information, please contact the WellCat Health Center at (530) 898-5241 or immunizations@csuchico.edu.

All data in this document is the responsibility of the campus and has been provided by the campus NSE coordinator.
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