Admissions
Getting in, fall 2025
California State University-Chico admits about 9 in 10 applicants (91%). That puts it in the "Open in-state, Accessible out of state" tier, more selective than 20% of the 1,547 colleges that report admissions.
Out of every 100 applicants…
The funnel
Men and women were admitted at similar rates (92% and 93%).
$70 to apply
Can be waived for applicants with financial need.
Grants credit for AP exams
Where applicants live
California applicants were admitted at 92%, applicants from other states at 73%, and international applicants at 63%.
All applicants in the same class: 91%
Of those admitted, 10.0% from California enrolled, against 12% from other states and 4.7% from abroad.
Counted by where applicants lived when they applied, which can differ from who qualifies for in-state tuition. A group's rate reflects who applies from there as well as how the college chooses.
Yield
10% of admitted students enroll, on the lower end nationally.
No wait list
Applying early
Doesn't offer early decision or early action
Where you stand
How California State University-Chico reads a record
GPA and tests are both very important. 26% of first-years who sent test scores had a 3.75 or higher. Scores aren't read. Most high schools no longer rank; this college doesn't lean on it. Requires 4 years of English, 3 of math, 2 of science, and 2 of social studies. See the years by subject
What they look at
| Very important | Important | Considered | Not considered | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academic | |||||
| Rigor of high school record | Not considered | ||||
| Class rank | Not considered | ||||
| Academic GPA | Very important | ||||
| Test scores | Very important | ||||
| Essay | Not considered | ||||
| Recommendations | Not considered | ||||
| Personal | |||||
| Interview | Not considered | ||||
| Extracurricular activities | Not considered | ||||
| Talent or ability | Not considered | ||||
| Character and personal qualities | Not considered | ||||
| First generation | Not considered | ||||
| Alumni relation (legacy) | Not considered | ||||
| Geographic residence | Important | ||||
| State residency | Important | ||||
| Religious affiliation | Not considered | ||||
| Volunteer work | Not considered | ||||
| Work experience | Not considered | ||||
| Demonstrated interest | Not considered | ||||
From the federal survey: high school record required; college-prep program required; English proficiency test required
Transferring in
76% of transfer applicants were admittedvs. 91% of first-year applicants
8,280 applied · 6,289 admitted · 1,993 enrolled
Transfers may start in the fall and spring.
At least 60 semester/90 quarter units completed to apply as a transfer.
Grants credit for course work completed at another college
What the application needs
- College transcripts
- Required
- Standardized test scores
- Required of some
- Statement of good standing from a prior college
- Required
Applying
The regular round, as the college reports it. Early rounds have their own dates.
- Apply by December 15 for fall 2026.
- Decisions are sent on a rolling basis starting December 1.
- $300 housing deposit, refundable.
- Admitted students may postpone enrollment for a gap year. Longest postponement: 1 year - only for first-time Freshmen.
What you'll need in high school
Requires a high school diploma; accepts the GED.
Requires a college-preparatory program in high school.
| Years of | Required |
|---|---|
| English | 4 |
| Math | 3 |
| Science (lab: 2) | 2 |
| Foreign language | 2 |
| Social studies | 2 |
| Academic electives | 1 |
| Total | 15 |
A unit is a year of the subject; lab science is part of science.
On the admissions map
↑ SAT midpoint (higher = higher scores)
Fall 2025 first-years
First-years' high school GPA
Average GPA 3.40
High schools grade differently, and colleges recalculate or weight GPAs their own way, so compare this college only with itself.
First-years by high school GPA (4.0 scale)
- 4.011%
- 3.75–3.9915%
- 3.50–3.7417%
- 3.25–3.4918%
- 3.00–3.2418%
- below 3.021%
The middle half had GPAs of 3.00–3.99.
All nine bands
| GPA | Sent test scores |
|---|---|
| 4.0 | 11.0% |
| 3.75–3.99 | 15.1% |
| 3.50–3.74 | 17.0% |
| 3.25–3.49 | 17.7% |
| 3.00–3.24 | 17.8% |
| 2.50–2.99 | 20.2% |
| 2.0–2.49 | 1.2% |
| 1.0–1.99 | 0.0% |
| below 1.0 | 0.0% |
35% were in the top tenth of their high school class, 75% in the top quarter, of the 50% whose high school reported a rank.
Source:California State University-Chico Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2025About the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)
Test scores
What enrolled first-years scored
The typical enrolled first-year who sent scores is around 1054 on the SAT, 116 points below the median for colleges that report scores.
Not considered
Scores aren't considered, even if you send them. For students entering in fall 2027.
Where would you land?
Middle 50% of enrolled first-years who sent scores This college's median National median midpoint
Score bands
35% of enrolled first-years who sent an SAT scored 1000–1199.
35% of enrolled first-years who sent an SAT scored 500–599.
41% of enrolled first-years who sent an SAT scored 500–599.
Shares of the 3% of first-years who sent an SAT; students who didn't send scores aren't in these bands.
Who submitted scores?
submitted SAT
69 studentsAt least half of students submitted a score, so the ranges are reasonably representative.
Sources:California State University-Chico Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2025;IPEDS Admissions survey, Fall 2024;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey, 2023–24;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey (athletics, programs, services, religious affiliation), 2025–26;California State University-Chico Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2027 applicants;California State University-Chico Common Data Set 2025–26, 2025–26;California State University-Chico Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2026 cycleAbout the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)