Founded in 1887, California State University, Chico is the second oldest California State University campus. It is a residential campus located in a true college town in Northern California, and it has one of the highest freshman graduation rates in the California State University system. What is more, there is a distinguished record of placing CSU Chico students with Fortune 500 companies upon graduation.

Academics
Majors for the new millennium include mechatronics, exercise physiology, and business information systems. Based on current number of students, the largest majors include Business Administration, Liberal Studies (elementary school teaching), Psychology, Construction Management, Prenursing/Nursing, Biological Sciences, Art & Art History, Recreation Administration, Kinesiology, and Journalism.

About 50 departments at California State University, Chico offer more than 150 undergraduate and a number of graduate degrees. The combination of online and campus education and completely online education opportunities are offered through Distance and Online Education at Chico. This is very beneficial for working students. The degrees offered through online and distance education curriculum include Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, and Certificates in one of the areas: Social Science, Computer Science, Nursing, Interdisciplinary Studies, Paralegal and Teachers of English Learners.

Financial Aid
CSU Chico offers a variety of financial aid opportunities. A financial aid may include a combination of different types of aid:

Grants are funds that the student does not have to repay. They are based on need, as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Scholarships neither have to be repaid. While certain scholarships may have a need component; however, scholarships usually are merit-based and are given to students for their academic excellence, leadership, performance in the arts or athletics, and/or community service.

Loans are the type of financial aid, which must be repaid either after graduation or upon leaving school. Their advantage is that federal student loans have lower interest rates than most commercial loans. Students who receive this kind of financial support must complete an exit interview before you leave the University.

Work-Study programs provide part-time, on-campus job opportunities to financially eligible students.