Chico State University: A Great Place to Learn, Grow, and Call Home

When families begin searching for the right four-year university, they often look for more than a degree. They want strong academics, a welcoming campus, opportunities for their student to grow, and a community where their son or daughter can enjoy the college experience.

California State University, Chico—better known as Chico State—offers all of that in one of Northern California's classic college towns.

Founded in 1887, Chico State is one of the oldest campuses in the California State University system. Today, the university serves more than 14,800 students and offers more than 300 programs of study across seven colleges. Chico State is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission, with a number of individual programs also holding professional accreditations. California State University, Chico

For parents considering where to send their children—and for students wondering where they might spend the next four years—Chico State deserves a serious look.

A University With Plenty of Academic Choices

One of Chico State's greatest advantages is the variety of programs available without the overwhelming feel of a gigantic university.

Students can pursue studies through colleges covering agriculture, business, behavioral and social sciences, communication and education, engineering and computer science, humanities and fine arts, and natural sciences. The university offers more than 120 undergraduate major options along with graduate programs and professional certifications. California State University, Chico

That means a student interested in engineering can find a home here, but so can someone pursuing business, nursing, agriculture, education, computer science, communications, psychology, the arts, environmental studies, construction management and many other fields.

Chico State reports an average undergraduate class size of about 31 students and a student-to-faculty ratio of 22 to 1. Those numbers help illustrate one of the attractions of the university: it is large enough to provide extensive academic opportunities while still offering an environment where students can develop connections with professors and classmates. California State University, Chico

The university also emphasizes hands-on and real-world learning. Its resources extend well beyond the main campus and include an 800-acre University Farm and thousands of acres of ecological reserves. California State University, Chico

College Is About More Than the Classroom

Of course, four years of college aren't spent entirely in lecture halls.

Chico State offers hundreds of student organizations along with arts and cultural activities, intramural and club sports, student government, outdoor excursions and NCAA Division II athletics. The Wildcat Recreation Center even includes a 36-foot climbing wall, fitness facilities and group exercise programs. California State University, Chico

Students can also become involved in the surrounding community. Through Chico State's Community Action Volunteers in Education program, students collectively contribute more than 60,000 volunteer hours each year, working with schools, parks, animal shelters and other community organizations. California State University, Chico

There are also academic support programs, tutoring, career services, health and wellness resources and on-campus University Police operating around the clock. Career Services hosts multiple career fairs during the year to help students make the transition from college into the workforce. California State University, Chico

For parents, those support systems can be an important part of evaluating a university.

Then There's the Campus Itself

Chico State has something that can't easily be measured in statistics: a beautiful, traditional college campus.

The 132-acre main campus is filled with mature trees, historic brick buildings, lawns, pathways and Big Chico Creek running through the university grounds. The campus core was designated an arboretum in 1982. California State University, Chico

And unlike universities where students may feel isolated from the surrounding community, Chico State sits immediately alongside downtown Chico.

Students can walk from class to restaurants, coffee shops, stores, entertainment and community events without getting into a car.

That relationship between the university and downtown is one of the things that gives Chico the atmosphere of a true college town.

And Then There's Chico

As someone who has lived in Chico for many years, I think the community itself is an important part of the Chico State experience.

Chico combines the energy of a university town with the relaxed atmosphere of Northern California. Downtown offers locally owned restaurants and shops, farmers markets, entertainment, arts and community events—all within easy reach of the university. California State University, Chico

But perhaps Chico's greatest outdoor attraction is Bidwell Park.

At approximately 3,670 acres and nearly 11 miles long, Bidwell Park is one of the country's largest municipal parks. Lower Bidwell Park offers huge shade trees, walking and biking paths and the famous Sycamore Pool at One-Mile Recreation Area. Travel farther into Upper Park and the scenery changes dramatically, with foothills, rocky terrain, hiking and mountain-biking trails and swimming areas along Big Chico Creek.

Imagine finishing your morning classes and being able to hike, bike, swim or simply relax beneath the trees that afternoon.

That is part of everyday life in Chico.

A Location That Keeps Students Connected

Chico is approximately 90 miles north of Sacramento and about 174 miles northeast of San Francisco, according to the university. California State University, Chico

For Northern California families, that can provide a nice balance: students have the independence of living away at college while remaining within reasonable traveling distance of many of the state's major population centers.

Students can also get around much of central Chico without a car. The university notes that many students walk, bicycle, scooter or skateboard between campus, housing, downtown and nearby destinations. California State University, Chico

Why Families Should Put Chico State on Their List

There isn't one university that's right for every student. Choosing a college depends on academic goals, finances, personality and the type of environment in which a student will thrive.

But Chico State brings together an appealing combination: an accredited four-year public university, extensive academic choices, a beautiful campus, active student life, outdoor recreation and a genuine college-town atmosphere.

Perhaps the best way to decide is simply to visit.

Walk through the Chico State campus. Follow Big Chico Creek beneath the trees. Walk a few blocks into downtown for lunch. Then drive or bicycle through Bidwell Park.

You may discover that Chico State isn't simply a place to earn a degree.

It's a place where a student can spend four important years learning, becoming independent, making lifelong friends and preparing for whatever comes next.

For official information about majors, admissions, campus tours and upcoming student events, visit Chico State's official website.