California State University, Chico Parent Guide

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Quick Facts About CSU, Chico

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California State University, Chico (popularly called “Chico State”)
Founded 1887
President Paul J. Zingg
Student/Faculty ratio 28 to 1
Average Undergraduate Class Size 28
Total General Fund Budget, including revenue $177,022,451
School Mascot Wildcat
School Colors Cardinal and White
Alumni/ae 105,000
Students (Based on fall 2008 data)
Full-time Equivalent students* 15,963
Number of total students 17,132
  • Freshmen
 4,323 (2,765 first-time; 1,558 transfer or continuing) (25%)
  • Sophomores
 2,443 (14%)
  • Juniors
 3,687 (22%)
  • Seniors
 5,239 (31%)
  • Postbaccalaureate Students
 1,440 (8%)
Age
  • CSU, Chico Average (undergraduate and graduate)
 23
  • Undergraduate Average
 22
Ethnicity
  • African American
 2.2%
  • American Indian
 1.0%
  • Asian American
 5.5%
  • Filipino
 0.8%
  • Mexican American
 9.0%
  • Other Latino
 3.4%
  • Pacific Islander
 0.5%
  • White, Non-Latino
 66.5%
  • Unknown
 11.1%
Gender
  • Female
 53%
  • Male
 47%

Student Profile

Our students come from 42 nations, 42 states, and 2 U.S. territories.  95.7% of the total student population comes from California: 34.4% from CSU, Chico’s service area; 24.7% from the rest of Northern California; 23.9% from Central California; 12.7% from Southern California. 4.3% are out-of-state or international students.

Freshman Profile

Average High School GPA 3.23 (admits) / 3.12 (enrolled)
Mean SAT Scores (composite) 1034 (admits) / 1020 (enrolled)

CSU, Chico’s History

In 1887, General John Bidwell, pioneer, statesman, and founder of Chico, donated eight acres of cherry orchard, and construction began on Chico State Normal School. The campus opened in 1889 with 90 students and five faculty members.

The first class of teachers graduated in June 1891. Chico State Normal School became Chico State Teachers College in 1921. The legislature converted its teachers colleges to state colleges in 1935, and Chico State Teachers College became Chico State College. In 1972, the College became California State University, Chico. The campus proper is 119 acres. The University also manages 800 acres of farm land and 240 acres of range land.