Chico State dates from 1887 and sits in a tree-lined college town at the northern end of the Sacramento Valley. Big Chico Creek runs through the middle of campus and on into Bidwell Park. The university is known for agriculture, with its own working farm, and for construction management, computer science and business. Around 14,000 students make the town feel young.
Chico, California, United States
Official website: csuchico.edu
1887
Public, California State University system
Downtown Chico, on Big Chico Creek
A working University Farm near campus
$18,000 – $21,000
International students, tuition plus nonresident fees
$13,000 – $17,000
Rent, food and local transport
Approximate figures for 2026-27, please verify. Fees change every year and vary by course, so check the latest amount on csuchico.edu before you apply.
BS Construction Management
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 61
BS Computer Science
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 61
BS Agricultural Business
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 61
BS Business Administration
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 61
MS Computer Science
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 80
Construction management with strong ties to California builders.
A working university farm for agriculture students.
Bidwell Park, one of the largest city parks in the US, starts at campus.
Construction graduates join general contractors across California and the West.
Agriculture graduates work in the valley's rice, almond and dairy industries.
Eligible F-1 graduates can apply for OPT; STEM degrees may get the extension.
Undergrad
Oct to early Dec
Postgrad
Spring deadlines
Undergrad
Limited
Postgrad
Selected programmes
Chico is a small college town with a walkable downtown, farmers' markets and the Sierra Nevada Brewing Company on its south side.
Summers are hot, so students swim in the creek at Bidwell Park. Rent is moderate, and Sacramento is about 90 minutes south.
Form I-20 issued by the institution
Proof of funds for one academic year
SEVIS I-901 fee payment receipt
Completed DS-160 online application
US embassy or consulate interview
Passport valid six months beyond stay
Undergraduates apply through Cal State Apply, usually between October 1 and early December for fall. Graduate programmes set their own deadlines, often in early spring.
Chico State admits mainly for the fall semester. Some programmes accept spring applicants.
You'll need an F-1 visa. Once you accept your offer and send proof of funding, California State University - Chico issues the Form I-20. After that it's the SEVIS fee, the DS-160 form and an interview at a US embassy or consulate.
Construction management, computer science, agricultural business, business and nursing are popular. Undergraduates are assessed on school grades with IELTS 6.0; graduate applicants need a relevant bachelor's degree and IELTS 6.5.
Chico State offers some scholarships through its annual scholarship application, open to enrolled students. International awards are modest.
