California State University, Chico: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics

California State University, Chico is a public university with an acceptance rate of 72%. First opened in 1889, Chico State is the second oldest of the Cal State universities. Chico State offers over 300 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. High achieving students might consider the Chico State Honors Program for access to smaller classes and other perks. In athletics, the Chico State Wildcats compete in the NCAA Division II California Collegiate Athletic Association.

Considering applying to Cal State, Chico? Here are the admissions statistics you should know, including average SAT/ACT scores and GPAs of admitted students.

Acceptance Rate

During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, Chico State had an acceptance rate of 72%. This means that for every 100 students who applied, 72 students were admitted, making Cal State, Chico's admissions process somewhat competitive.

SAT Scores and Requirements

Cal State Chico requires that all applicants submit either SAT or ACT scores. During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, 90% of admitted students submitted SAT scores.

This admissions data tells us that most of Cal State Chico's admitted students fall within the bottom 29% nationally on the SAT. For the evidence-based reading and writing section, 50% of students admitted to Cal State Chico scored between 500 and 590, while 25% scored below 500 and 25% scored above 590. On the math section, 50% of admitted students scored between 490 and 590, while 25% scored below 490 and 25% scored above 590. Applicants with a composite SAT score of 1180 or higher will have particularly competitive chances at Cal State Chico.

Requirements

Cal State Chico does not require the SAT writing section. Note that Chico State will consider your highest score from each individual section across all SAT test dates. SAT Subject test scores are not required, but if the score meets a benchmark, it may be used to fulfill certain core course requirements.

ACT Scores and Requirements

Chico State requires that all applicants submit either SAT or ACT scores. During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, 28% of admitted students submitted ACT scores.

This admissions data tells us that most of Cal State Chico's admitted students fall within the bottom 40% nationally on the ACT. The middle 50% of students admitted to Chico State received a composite ACT score between 18 and 24, while 25% scored above 24 and 25% scored below 18.

Requirements

Cal State Chico does not require the ACT writing section. Unlike many universities, Chico State superscores ACT results; your highest subscores from multiple ACT sittings will be considered.

GPA

In 2019, the average high school GPA for incoming Cal State Chico freshmen was 3.41. This data suggests that most successful applicants to Chico State have primarily B grades.

Self-Reported GPA/SAT/ACT Graph

The admissions data in the graph is self-reported by applicants to California State University, Chico. GPAs are unweighted. Find out how you compare to accepted students, see the real-time graph, and calculate your chances of getting in with a free Cappex account.

Admissions Chances

Cal State Chico, which accepts more than two-thirds of applicants, has a somewhat selective admissions process. Unlike the University of California System, the California State University admission process is not holistic. Except for EOP (Educational Opportunity Program) students, applicants do not need to submit letters of recommendation or an application essay, and extracurricular involvement is not part of the standard application. Instead, admissions are based primarily on an eligibility index that combines GPA and test scores. Minimum high school course requirements include four years of English; three years of math; two years each of social science, laboratory science, and a single foreign language; one year of visual or performing arts, and one year of a college preparatory elective. The reasons why an applicant with adequate scores and grades would be rejected tends to come down to factors such as insufficient college preparatory classes, high school classes that weren't challenging, or an incomplete application.

Be aware that California State University, Chico is designated as impacted because it receives more applications than can be accommodated. Due to impaction, the university holds all freshmen applicants to a higher standard. In addition, particularly competitive majors such as Nursing, Music, and Social Work, have additional requirements for eligibility.

In the graph above, the green and blue dots represent accepted students. The majority of admitted students had GPAs of about 2.8 or higher, SAT scores (ERW+M) of 900 or higher, and ACT scores of 18 or higher.

If You Like Chico State, You May Also Like These Schools

• California State University, Long Beach
• California State University, Fullerton
• California State University, San Bernardino
• California State University, Los Angeles
• San Francisco State University

All admissions data has been sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics and California State University, Chico Undergraduate Admissions Office.