California State University, Chico
76%
Acceptance rate
1.4%
Intl. students
$20,592
Tuition/yr
17,000
Enrollment
22:1
Student:Faculty
About California State University, Chico
Public CSU in Chico, CA. Strong engineering, agriculture, and business programs with vibrant student community.
California State University, Chico (Chico State) is a public university founded in 1887 and part of the 23-campus California State University system. Located in Chico in California's northern Sacramento Valley, it enrolled approximately 14,823 students in Fall 2025 and awards degrees across more than 100 bachelor's and graduate programs.
Chico State is widely recognized for its College of Agriculture, which operates an 800-acre University Farm and consistently ranks among the top five agriculture schools in California. The university also offers strong programs in business, nursing, computer science, and engineering. It holds regional accreditation from the Western Association of Colleges and Schools.
The main campus sits in the city of Chico, a mid-sized city roughly three hours north of San Francisco and 90 minutes north of Sacramento. The campus is compact and walkable, and the broader Chico area is known for outdoor access including Bidwell Park, one of the largest municipal parks in the United States. US News & World Report regularly places Chico State among the top public universities in the West region.
World University Rankings
Campus & Location
CA
Suburban
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
All graduates qualify for 12-month OPT. STEM-designated programs (CS, Engineering, Data Science, Mathematics, Sciences) qualify for 24-month STEM OPT extension — 36 months total work authorisation.
For Nepali students
- International undergraduate tuition and fees at Chico State total approximately $20,592 per year for 2026–27 (base fees plus non-resident tuition), which is substantially lower than flagship UC campuses, making it one of the more affordable accredited four-year options in California for Nepali students.
- Agriculture and agribusiness programs are a strong draw: Chico State has a formal connection with Tribhuvan University in Nepal through past collaborative programs, and the 800-acre University Farm provides hands-on experience directly relevant to Nepal's agricultural development sector.
- As a CSU-system university, graduates on an F-1 visa are eligible for 12 months of Optional Practical Training (OPT) after graduation, extendable to 36 months for STEM-designated programs, allowing meaningful post-study work experience in the United States before returning or transitioning to other visa categories.
- Chico State's International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) office provides dedicated support, and the university offers free ESL support services, a practical resource for Nepali students whose first language is not English.
Admission requirements — Nepali equivalents
A rough translation of the published minimums for Nepali applicants:
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