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Colleges / California State University, Chico

California State University, Chico

Chico, CA 4-Year Public
Acceptance Rate91%

CSU Chico Tuition Information

In 2022, tuition for full-time students at CSU Chico was $5,742 a year for in-state students and $17,622 a year for out-of-state students.

Usually, college tuition goes up about 3% every year.

Remember, the total cost of tuition isn't the final cost for attending college. Many students pay much less than the sticker price after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts kick in. Plus, student loans can make theactual cost of attending college more manageable until you're done with college.

International students can expect to pay 17,622 per year for tuition at California State University, Chico.

California State University, Chico meets 62% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. First-year students that attend California State University, Chico full-time are awarded $12,535 a year in financial aid, on average.

The average student debt for graduates in the class of 2023 was around $5,877 per student, not including those with no debt.

In-state vs. Out-of-state Tuition at California State University, Chico

California State University, Chico is a public, state institution, which means it offers a reduced tuition rate of $5,742 for students who qualify as state residents and attend full-time. For students who are not considered California-residents, out-of-state tuition is $17,622 a year.

Public schools receive funds from the state to help them cover costs. Public, state schools can offer lower tuition for students who meet the requirements for in-state residency.

Choosing a college where you qualify for in-state status can cut the cost of college tuition. Be sure to confirm your state's criteria for in-state tuition. Each state has different requirements to qualify as in-state resident. Most states require students to have resided in the state for a certain period of time before qualifying. There may be additional requirements as well, depending on where you live.

Explore other California colleges

California State University, Chico International Student Tuition

California State University, Chico has the same tuition for international students as for those from out of state.

International students at California State University, Chico usually pay around $17,622 per year, before any scholarships, grants or other financial aid.

International students are not eligible for loans or grants from the U.S. government, but may qualify for private or California State University, Chico-specific grants, scholarships, and other funding opportunities. International students with need may be eligible for the following types of financial support at California State University, Chico:

•On-campus jobs •Loans from outsideCalifornia State University, Chico •Athletic Awards •California State University, Chico-specific scholarships


California State University, Chico Living Expenses, Fees, and More


In addition to the cost of tuition, room and board, books, transportation and fees are also costs it consider when planning for college. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at California State University, Chico.

House and Food Costs at California State University, Chico

Housing and campus dining at California State University, Chico is $12,489 a year. This covers the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, plus a meal plan that enables you to eat in the California State University, Chico's on-campus cafeterias and dining halls. Students who do not live on-campus but still want to use the dining facilities can choose to be on a meal plan. The cost of board-only is $8,608.

Meal-plan costs may vary depending on the number of meals you intend to eat on-campus

How Much Do Books Cost at California State University, Chico?

First-year students are sometimes surprised by how much books and supplies cost–and not in a good way. The real cost of books and supplies depends on the courses you take and the textbooks, computer programs, or other materials are required.. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy used textbooks and materials.

Annual Fees

The majority of colleges charge some yearly fees to offsets cost associated with maintaining facilties, like the library, gym and computer labs.

Keep in mind, there could also be other costs associated with participating in certain activities, like Greek Life, or playing on an intramural sports team. Many schools offer ways for students with demonstrated need to find ways to lower or eliminate these costs.

The Cost of Transportation at California State University, Chico

The cost of transportation in college can really vary. Will you drive, fly, or take public transportation to school? Will you need to pay to park on-campus? Is the campus walkable? Do you own a car, or are you planning to use busses, subways, or other modes of transportation? All of these factors can drastically impact your transportation budget. At California State University, Chico, freshman are allowed to park on campus.

The location of a college or university can also have a big effect on the amount you'll have to spend just to get around. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the flip side, getting around in an urban area could be pricey, but cities may offer more trains, busses or affordable flights to actually get to school. California State University, Chicois located in a town in California.

Other Costs

When estimating your budget for college, don’t forget to take into account the cost of things like going out to eat or see shows, furnishing your living space, and things like haircuts, clothes and, yes, even toilet paper and shampoo.


The Full Cost of Attending California State University, Chico


Now, let’s look at the breakdown of all expenses, to get a better idea of how much students can expect to shell out for California State University, Chico.

Total Cost of California State University, Chico

What will the cost of attending California State University, Chico be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
In-state Tuition $5,742
Out-of-State Tuition $17,622
Room and Board $12,489
Board Only $5,198
Other expenses $1,698

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.


Financial Aid at California State University, Chico


The majority of California State University, Chico undergrads use financial aid to finance their education. In 2023, 7,417 of the 12,885 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. California State University, Chico meets 62% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $12,535 a year. Around 29% of California State University, Chico undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. California State University, Chico graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $5,877 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans $5,511
Private Loans $0
Most Common Loans for California State University, Chico Students
Federal Loans 28%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on California State University, Chico financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at California State University, Chico

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2023, California State University, Chico awarded 7,150 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $75.8 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $1.27 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Net Cost of California State University, Chico

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for California State University, Chico students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at California State University, Chico was $12,535 in 2023. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of California State University, Chico seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
In-State, On-Campus $-2,911
Net In-state, Off-campus $2,753
Out-of-State, On-Campus $21,504

Note: a negative number can indicate that a refund will be given to use toward other expenses such as housing, fees, and books. In such cases, be sure to reach out to the school directly for any clarification or questions.

What will attending California State University, Chico really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families get a better idea of the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the California State University, Chico's net cost calculator on their website.

California State University, Chico Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

California State University, Chico does not have guaranteed tuition.

California State University, Chico offers an Installment Payment Plan, which allows students to pay tuition in a series of smaller chunks instead of one lump sum.

Does California State University, Chico Offer Tuition Waivers?

Schools sometimes offer tuition waivers to certain groups, to reduce the total cost of attendance. Some schools offer tuition waivers for employees and their family members, underrepresented students, or military students. Even with a tuition waiver, other expenses and fees are the responsibility of the student.

CSU Chico has some full or partial tuition waivers available for: - Employees or Children of Employees

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

California State University, Chico's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

California State University, Chico's endowment was valued at $90 million in 2023, compared to a national average of $905 million. The school spends $7,113 for each full-time student enrolled.


Learn More About California State University, Chico


Choose one of the options below to find out more about about California State University, Chico:

Overview

Student Life

Academics

Admissions

Visit the College Confidential forums to join the conversation about California State University, Chico

CSU Chico Tuition & Fees

Tuition & Fees

$20,461

In State

$32,341

Out-of-State
Cost Breakdown
In State
Out-of-State
State Tuition
$5,742
$17,622
Fees
$2,230
$2,230
Housing
$12,489
$12,489
Books
Unknown
Unknown

CSU Chico Financial Aid

Students Who Receive Need-Based Aid

55%

Average Financial Aid Package

$12,162

Data Source: IPEDs and Peterson's Databases © 2022 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved

Quick Facts

Total Enrollment

13,840

Campus Setting

Small Town

Acceptance Rate

91%

Tuition and Fees

In State

$7,972

Out-of-State

$19,852

Fall Freshmen
Application Deadline

Dec 15
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