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California State University-Chico

Tuition, net price, acceptance rate, graduation rate, and graduate salary · Chico, California

Net price / year

$14,480

after grants & scholarships

higher than 58% of public 4-year colleges

Acceptance rate

93%

Graduation rate

63%

within 150% of normal time

higher than 79% of public 4-year colleges

Median earnings

$65,228

4 years after graduating

higher than 72% of public 4-year colleges

California State University-Chico at a glance

What is the tuition at California State University-Chico?
In-state undergraduate tuition and fees are $8,472 for the 2024-25 academic year, or $21,072 for out-of-state students.
What is the cost of attendance at California State University-Chico?
The average cost of attendance is $26,283 a year before financial aid (2023-24), counting tuition, books, housing and other living expenses.
What is the net price at California State University-Chico?
The average net price for in-state students is $14,480 a year after grants and scholarships (2023-24).
What is the acceptance rate at California State University-Chico?
About 93% of applicants were admitted (fall 2024).
Is California State University-Chico test optional?
Test policy reported to the federal government: Tests neither required nor recommended.
What is the graduation rate at California State University-Chico?
63% of first-time, full-time students finish within 150% of normal time, or 6 years (entering classes through fall 2018).
How much do graduates of California State University-Chico earn?
The median graduate earns $65,228 four years after finishing, among graduates working and not enrolled (2024 dollars).

Key takeaways

  • The earnings premium over a typical high-school graduate would cover the estimated net cost in about 2.1 years of work (not counting income forgone while studying).
  • 63% of students graduate on time or within 150% of normal time, higher than 79% of public 4-year colleges.
  • Graduates earn a median $65,228 four years after finishing, more than 72% of public 4-year colleges.
  • Families earning under $30,000 pay about $9,902 a year on average, versus $23,566 for families earning over $110,000.
  • The school admits 93% of applicants, so most who apply are accepted.

Tuition and cost of attendance at California State University-Chico

Average net price (in-state)

$14,480 per year

Cost of attendance minus average grants and scholarships, for first-time full-time students receiving federal aid.

Estimate your own price with the California State University-Chico net price calculator ↗

Estimated total net cost

$57,920

Net price × 4 years, at today's prices and assuming on-time completion. Your actual cost depends on your aid.

Net price by family income

Average yearly net price for students receiving federal aid.

  1. $0–30k $9,902
  2. $30–48k $10,099
  3. $48–75k $12,961
  4. $75–110k $16,506
  5. $110k+ $23,566

Where the sticker price goes· Cost of attendance $26,283

  • Tuition & fees$8,472
  • Books & supplies$1,096
  • Room & board$16,500
  • Other expenses$3,020
Tuition & fees (in-state)
$8,472
Tuition & fees (out-of-state)
$21,072

California State University-Chico acceptance rate and admissions

Acceptance rate

Share of applicants admitted.

Test policy: Tests neither required nor recommended

Graduation rate and salary after graduating from California State University-Chico

Graduation rate

63%

First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time.

Retention rate

83%

Full-time first-years who return the next fall.

Typical monthly payment

$175

On a standard 10-year federal plan.

Years of earnings premium to cover cost

2.1 years

Net cost ÷ (graduate earnings − high-school graduate earnings). Excludes income forgone while studying and assumes today's earnings. A rough guide, not a prediction.

Earnings vs debt

Of graduates working and not enrolled, in 2024 dollars.

Debt-to-earnings
0.3×Median debt divided by median earnings 4 years after graduating.
Share of pay going to loans
3.2%
3-year loan default rate
0%

Outcomes by student group

The Scorecard reports some outcomes separately for groups of students. A group is left out when it is too small to report. These are school-level figures and say nothing about any individual student.

Completion within 150% of normal time, by group

Share of students who entered in 2018 and completed within 150% of normal time (six years at a four-year college, three at a two-year college).

Group rates and the all-student rate come from the same 2018 entering cohort, so they can be compared directly. Groups at small colleges can rest on very few students. Data period: Entering cohort 2018 (IPEDS).

Earnings ten years after entry

All students who entered this college, whether or not they graduated, in 2022 dollars, ten years after entry.

Typical range: middle half of students

25th percentile $41,693 · median $64,172 · 75th percentile $95,212

This is not the same as the graduates' earnings shown above. It covers everyone who entered, including students who left without a degree, ten years after entry and in 2022 dollars. The graduates' figure covers only completers, four years after finishing, in 2024 dollars. Do not compare the two directly.

Data period: Students who entered in academic years 2009-10 and 2010-11 (pooled), earnings measured in 2020 and 2021, 2022 dollars (Treasury).

Median federal student debt, by group

Median federal loan debt of students who borrowed, when they left school, by group.

Data period: Loans in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (pooled, NSLDS).

How borrowers are doing

One year after leaving school and entering repayment, here is where the 6,738 federal-loan borrowers from this college stood. It covers borrowers only, not students who did not take federal loans.

Repayment status one year after entering repayment

  • Paid in full 12%
  • Making progress 12%
  • Not making progress 8%
  • Delinquent 2%
  • Default 0%
  • Forbearance 55%
  • Deferment 10%
  • Discharged 0%
What the terms mean
Paid in full:
The borrower has paid off the loans completely.
Making progress:
Payments are reducing the loan balance, not just covering interest.
Not making progress:
The borrower is paying, but not enough to shrink the balance.
Delinquent:
Payments are late but the loan is not yet in default.
Default:
The borrower has missed payments for so long that the loan is officially in default.
Forbearance:
Payments are temporarily paused or reduced, and interest may keep adding up.
Deferment:
Payments are on hold for an approved reason, such as returning to school.
Discharged:
The loan was cancelled, for example because of a disability or a school closure.

6,738 borrowers · Data period: Borrowers who entered repayment in the AY2018-19 and AY2019-20 cohorts (pooled, NSLDS).

Programs and majors at California State University-Chico ranked by earnings

ProgramEarnings, 4 yrs afterEarnings over timeCompared with the U.S. median for this fieldMedian debt

Computer Science

Bachelor's · Graduates: 60

$127,498 1 yr$81,0214 yrs$127,4985 yrs$125,103

U.S. median $107,009

U.S. middle half $74.8K–$152K · Above the U.S. median

$20,000

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

Bachelor's · Graduates: 151

$117,543 1 yr$113,1814 yrs$117,5435 yrs$120,599

U.S. median $88,910

U.S. middle half $67.9K–$114.5K · Above the U.S. median

$16,500

Construction Management

Bachelor's · Graduates: 111

$108,021 1 yr$89,0754 yrs$108,0215 yrs$116,720

U.S. median $95,124

U.S. middle half $77.1K–$115.2K · Above the U.S. median

$19,341

Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians

Bachelor's · Graduates: 34

$106,225 1 yr$77,9654 yrs$106,2255 yrs$97,724

U.S. median $84,599

U.S. middle half $63.6K–$107.4K · Above the U.S. median

$18,822

Engineering, Other

Bachelor's · Graduates: 55

$103,272 1 yr$74,2044 yrs$103,2725 yrs$95,485

U.S. median $93,989

U.S. middle half $77.4K–$115.3K · Above the U.S. median

$22,500

Computer Engineering

Bachelor's · Graduates: 18 Small sample

$97,345 4 yrs$97,3455 yrs$107,580

U.S. median $109,015

U.S. middle half $86.3K–$145.2K · Below the U.S. median

—

Mechanical Engineering

Bachelor's · Graduates: 97

$93,555 1 yr$73,2974 yrs$93,5555 yrs$102,703

U.S. median $92,135

U.S. middle half $77.7K–$109.1K · Above the U.S. median

$22,353

Civil Engineering

Bachelor's · Graduates: 78

$92,472 1 yr$72,3504 yrs$92,4725 yrs$101,629

U.S. median $86,517

U.S. middle half $73.9K–$101.2K · Above the U.S. median

$21,125

Computer and Information Sciences, General

Bachelor's · Graduates: 100

$91,059 1 yr$49,9674 yrs$91,0595 yrs$90,685

U.S. median $92,374

U.S. middle half $64.2K–$128.2K · Below the U.S. median

$18,972

Engineering-Related Fields

Bachelor's · Graduates: 56

$86,430 1 yr$69,0424 yrs$86,4305 yrs$92,561

U.S. median $89,619

U.S. middle half $71K–$110.2K · Below the U.S. median

$17,500
Show all 54 programs

Accounting and Related Services

Bachelor's · Graduates: 114

$85,612 1 yr$60,6064 yrs$85,6125 yrs$80,392

U.S. median $76,194

U.S. middle half $56.2K–$97.2K · Above the U.S. median

$16,875

Mathematics

Bachelor's · Graduates: 26 Small sample

$77,891 1 yr$38,2124 yrs$77,8915 yrs$62,551

U.S. median $69,562

U.S. middle half $49.1K–$97.4K · Above the U.S. median

$16,500

Microbiological Sciences and Immunology

Bachelor's · Graduates: 32

$74,888 1 yr$49,0684 yrs$74,8885 yrs$64,331

U.S. median $62,582

U.S. middle half $44K–$83.2K · Above the U.S. median

$23,500

Business Administration, Management and Operations

Bachelor's · Graduates: 628

$72,651 1 yr$46,1454 yrs$72,6515 yrs$79,303

U.S. median $68,257

U.S. middle half $47.6K–$93.6K · Above the U.S. median

$16,750

Biology, General

Bachelor's · Graduates: 52

$71,726 1 yr$37,1204 yrs$71,7265 yrs$61,481

U.S. median $57,214

U.S. middle half $38.9K–$79.2K · Above the U.S. median

$17,600

Natural Resources Conservation and Research

Bachelor's · Graduates: 28 Small sample

$69,531 1 yr$33,7584 yrs$69,5315 yrs$58,420

U.S. median $55,012

U.S. middle half $39.4K–$72.8K · Above the U.S. median

$20,500

Geography and Cartography

Bachelor's · Graduates: 21 Small sample

$69,500 1 yr$40,3804 yrs$69,5005 yrs$72,207

U.S. median $57,853

U.S. middle half $42.5K–$75.6K · Above the U.S. median

—

Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General

Bachelor's · Graduates: 168

$69,303 1 yr$40,0574 yrs$69,3035 yrs$56,376

U.S. median $61,296

U.S. middle half $42.8K–$82.3K · Above the U.S. median

$19,331

Plant Sciences

Bachelor's · Graduates: 41

$68,629 1 yr$43,9444 yrs$68,6295 yrs$70,548

U.S. median $56,567

U.S. middle half $41.8K–$73.9K · Above the U.S. median

$13,826

Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies

Bachelor's · Graduates: 19 Small sample

$67,921 1 yr$25,5254 yrs$67,921

U.S. median $42,907

U.S. middle half $30.7K–$64K · Above the U.S. median

$15,375

Economics

Bachelor's · Graduates: 28 Small sample

$67,675 1 yr$37,4324 yrs$67,6755 yrs$73,084

U.S. median $82,686

U.S. middle half $58.2K–$116.3K · Below the U.S. median

$18,300

Agricultural Business and Management

Bachelor's · Graduates: 72

$65,198 1 yr$47,9374 yrs$65,1985 yrs$67,962

U.S. median $66,647

U.S. middle half $48.6K–$90.4K · Below the U.S. median

$11,250

Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology

Bachelor's · Graduates: 23 Small sample

$64,274 —

U.S. median $48,842

U.S. middle half $36K–$64.3K · Above the U.S. median

—

Journalism

Bachelor's · Graduates: 76

$63,358 1 yr$35,6684 yrs$63,3585 yrs$56,247

U.S. median $56,278

U.S. middle half $40.6K–$73.9K · Above the U.S. median

$18,618

Communication Disorders Sciences and Services

Bachelor's · Graduates: 71

$62,855 1 yr$29,2974 yrs$62,8555 yrs$61,935

U.S. median $58,928

U.S. middle half $45K–$73K · Above the U.S. median

$16,148

Agriculture, General

Bachelor's · Graduates: 23 Small sample

$61,369 4 yrs$61,3695 yrs$64,138

U.S. median $53,676

U.S. middle half $39K–$70.6K · Above the U.S. median

$14,750

Political Science and Government

Bachelor's · Graduates: 76

$61,293 1 yr$41,8934 yrs$61,2935 yrs$62,565

U.S. median $63,293

U.S. middle half $44.8K–$85.4K · Below the U.S. median

$20,000

Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences

Bachelor's · Graduates: 76

$61,230 1 yr$25,9524 yrs$61,2305 yrs$59,339

U.S. median $62,172

U.S. middle half $41.5K–$83.5K · Below the U.S. median

$18,750

Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology

Bachelor's · Graduates: 18 Small sample

$60,367 1 yr$42,8864 yrs$60,367

U.S. median $65,466

U.S. middle half $44.9K–$88.4K · Below the U.S. median

$22,000

Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas

Bachelor's · Graduates: 28 Small sample

$60,296 1 yr$24,4274 yrs$60,296

U.S. median $51,389

U.S. middle half $40.5K–$63.1K · Above the U.S. median

$22,358

Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies

Bachelor's · Graduates: 110

$59,765 1 yr$33,9204 yrs$59,7655 yrs$56,924

U.S. median $50,983

U.S. middle half $37.1K–$67.2K · Above the U.S. median

$17,886

Nutrition Sciences

Bachelor's · Graduates: 17 Small sample

$59,146 1 yr$25,4904 yrs$59,146

U.S. median $60,053

U.S. middle half $43.2K–$76.8K · Below the U.S. median

$17,272

Criminal Justice and Corrections

Bachelor's · Graduates: 226

$58,464 1 yr$36,0454 yrs$58,4645 yrs$58,616

U.S. median $55,378

U.S. middle half $40.2K–$74.4K · Above the U.S. median

$15,000

Communication and Media Studies

Bachelor's · Graduates: 230

$58,391 1 yr$38,4214 yrs$58,3915 yrs$59,510

U.S. median $56,359

U.S. middle half $39.6K–$76.1K · Above the U.S. median

$16,125

Social Work

Bachelor's · Graduates: 92

$57,146 1 yr$36,8404 yrs$57,1465 yrs$55,090

U.S. median $51,790

U.S. middle half $39.2K–$64.2K · Above the U.S. median

$15,829

Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

Bachelor's · Graduates: 31

$56,144 1 yr$22,9174 yrs$56,1445 yrs$55,893

U.S. median $55,000

U.S. middle half $38.4K–$73.3K · Above the U.S. median

$17,200

Natural Sciences

Bachelor's · Graduates: 17 Small sample

$55,102 —

U.S. median $57,935

U.S. middle half $36.5K–$80.5K · Below the U.S. median

—

Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

Bachelor's · Graduates: 222

$55,008 1 yr$27,1964 yrs$55,0085 yrs$55,139

U.S. median $53,072

U.S. middle half $35.8K–$73.3K · Above the U.S. median

$15,688

Public Administration

Bachelor's · Graduates: 20 Small sample

$54,714 —

U.S. median $65,093

U.S. middle half $47.2K–$86.7K · Below the U.S. median

—

Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness

Bachelor's · Graduates: 74

$52,978 1 yr$28,2364 yrs$52,9785 yrs$46,684

U.S. median $54,562

U.S. middle half $39K–$73K · Below the U.S. median

$20,500

Psychology, General

Bachelor's · Graduates: 302

$52,621 1 yr$31,8274 yrs$52,6215 yrs$52,482

U.S. median $50,706

U.S. middle half $35.7K–$67.2K · Above the U.S. median

$15,000

Sociology

Bachelor's · Graduates: 162

$52,323 1 yr$36,9924 yrs$52,3235 yrs$46,999

U.S. median $52,657

U.S. middle half $37.7K–$69.5K · Below the U.S. median

$14,000

International Relations and National Security Studies

Bachelor's · Graduates: 32

$52,150 1 yr$39,0604 yrs$52,1505 yrs$51,736

U.S. median $66,596

U.S. middle half $46K–$87.8K · Below the U.S. median

$15,000

Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services

Bachelor's · Graduates: 71

$51,491 1 yr$31,6734 yrs$51,4915 yrs$62,110

U.S. median $54,945

U.S. middle half $39.1K–$70.7K · Below the U.S. median

$17,375

Social Sciences, General

Bachelor's · Graduates: 58

$50,845 1 yr$36,3824 yrs$50,8455 yrs$50,545

U.S. median $53,366

U.S. middle half $36.6K–$72.3K · Below the U.S. median

$13,987

History

Bachelor's · Graduates: 21 Small sample

$49,351 1 yr$30,6974 yrs$49,3515 yrs$46,221

U.S. median $50,680

U.S. middle half $36.3K–$66.7K · Below the U.S. median

$16,838

English Language and Literature, General

Bachelor's · Graduates: 67

$49,189 1 yr$27,0454 yrs$49,1895 yrs$49,955

U.S. median $48,590

U.S. middle half $33.7K–$63.8K · Above the U.S. median

$15,000

Animal Sciences

Bachelor's · Graduates: 104

$48,474 1 yr$33,3874 yrs$48,4745 yrs$56,684

U.S. median $49,634

U.S. middle half $36.3K–$66.9K · Below the U.S. median

$17,606

Fine and Studio Arts

Bachelor's · Graduates: 39

$45,468 1 yr$22,6284 yrs$45,4685 yrs$44,754

U.S. median $41,367

U.S. middle half $26.2K–$56.7K · Above the U.S. median

$14,990

Design and Applied Arts

Bachelor's · Graduates: 71

$44,629 1 yr$27,5734 yrs$44,6295 yrs$46,813

U.S. median $51,490

U.S. middle half $33K–$70.6K · Below the U.S. median

$18,227

Anthropology

Bachelor's · Graduates: 52

$43,153 1 yr$27,8564 yrs$43,1535 yrs$48,693

U.S. median $46,676

U.S. middle half $32.1K–$63.9K · Below the U.S. median

$18,263

Music

Bachelor's · Graduates: 63

$42,269 1 yr$25,3394 yrs$42,2695 yrs$39,537

U.S. median $42,892

U.S. middle half $26K–$58.8K · Below the U.S. median

$23,500

Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services

Bachelor's · Graduates: 97

$41,993 1 yr$30,4414 yrs$41,9935 yrs$46,310

U.S. median $48,568

U.S. middle half $35.1K–$62.7K · Below the U.S. median

$16,722

Area Studies

Bachelor's · Graduates: 29 Small sample

$41,818 1 yr$23,1494 yrs$41,8185 yrs$46,659

U.S. median $56,625

U.S. middle half $37.2K–$78.5K · Below the U.S. median

$16,500

Earnings are for graduates working and not enrolled, 4 years after completing, in 2024 dollars.

The U.S. median and middle half (25th to 75th percentile) are for graduates of the same field and credential level at all colleges, 4 years after completing.

The 1-year, 4-year and 5-year figures come from different graduating cohorts and dollar years (1-year: AY2018-19 and AY2019-20 graduates, 2022 dollars; 4-year: AY2017-18 and AY2018-19 graduates, 2024 dollars; 5-year: AY2014-15 and AY2015-16 graduates, 2022 dollars), so read them as three separate measures, not a single career path.

Small samples are noisy: the Scorecard adds privacy noise to program figures and some rows are based on only a handful of graduates, so rows marked “small sample” can move a lot from year to year.

What students study

The largest fields among the degrees and certificates this college awarded, grouped by two-digit CIP code (the federal Classification of Instructional Programs). Fields under 1% are left out.

Share of degrees and certificates awarded, by field

A large share means many awards, not necessarily many students or higher earnings. Data period: Awards in academic year 2024-25 (IPEDS).

Who attends

A snapshot of the undergraduate student body as this college reported it to the federal government. Shares are shown as published; they can differ slightly from 100% because of rounding.

Race and ethnicity

  • White 41.1%
  • Black or African American 3%
  • Hispanic or Latino 38.9%
  • Asian 5.4%
  • American Indian or Alaska Native 0.5%
  • Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander 0.3%
  • Two or more races 6.1%
  • U.S. nonresident 1.1%
  • Race and ethnicity unknown 3.6%

Federal reporting categories. Students who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents are counted as nonresident, and students who did not report are counted as unknown. Data period: Fall 2024 (IPEDS).

Gender

  • Men 43.6%
  • Women 56.4%

Federal reporting uses two categories. Data period: Fall 2024 (IPEDS).

Students aged 25 or older

17%

of undergraduates

Many adult students work or have families while enrolled. Data period: Fall 2023 (IPEDS).

Students and campus

Undergraduate enrollment
13,631
Part-time students
9%
Receive Pell Grants
43%
Receive federal loans
32%
Students per faculty member
23 : 1
Setting
City

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Frequently asked questions

How much is tuition at California State University-Chico?

For the 2024-25 academic year, California State University-Chico reported undergraduate tuition and fees of $8,472 for in-state students and $21,072 for out-of-state students. These are published prices before grants and scholarships; what you pay depends on your aid.

What is the cost of attendance and net price at California State University-Chico?

The average cost of attendance at California State University-Chico is $26,283 a year (2023-24), counting tuition, books, housing and other living expenses. After grants and scholarships, the average net price is $14,480 a year. That is around the middle of public 4-year colleges.

How much financial aid do students at California State University-Chico get?

43% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. 32% receive federal loans. The average net price runs from $9,902 a year for families earning under $30,000 to $23,566 for families earning over $110,000 (2023-24).

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

California State University-Chico admitted about 93% of applicants in fall 2024. That means most applicants are admitted.

What are the graduation rate and retention rate at California State University-Chico?

63% of first-time, full-time students at California State University-Chico finish within 150% of normal time. 83% of full-time first-years return the next fall.

How much do California State University-Chico graduates earn after graduation?

The median graduate earns $65,228 four years after finishing, among graduates working and not enrolled in further study (2024 dollars). One year after finishing, the median is $42,772.

Is California State University-Chico worth it?

There is no single answer: it depends on your major, your aid and whether you finish. For California State University-Chico, the data shows this. The earnings premium over a typical high-school graduate would cover the estimated net cost in about 2.1 years of work. Graduates who borrowed have a median debt of $16,552, about 0.3 times their median earnings four years after finishing. 63% of first-time, full-time students finish within 150% of normal time. These are averages, not predictions, and they do not count income forgone while studying.

How much debt do California State University-Chico graduates have?

Graduates who borrowed have a median federal-loan debt of $16,552, or about $175 a month on a 10-year plan.

Sources and data periods

All figures come from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard (June 2026 release). Periods differ by measure:

  • Average net price: AcadYr 2023-24, reported in IPEDS DCY2024-25
  • Acceptance rate: Fall 2024, reported in IPEDS DCY2024-25
  • Graduation rate: Fall 2018 or AcadYr 2018-19 cohort (differs by institutional calendar), reported in IPEDS DCY2024-25 pooled with previous years (# of total pooled years found in POOLYRS)
  • Median earnings: Treasury AY2017-18, AY2018-19 pooled cohort measured in CY2022, CY2023, inflation adjusted to 2024 dollars
  • Median graduate debt: NSLDS FY2020, FY2021 pooled cohorts

Some figures are blank because the school did not report them or the group was too small to publish. How we calculate things