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#15 Best Public Universities in California

CSU Admission Requirements

Chico, California

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Your chances of getting into California State University Chico

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

85.5%
Admission Difficulty for California State University Chico
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Easy 
Applicant Competition Very Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at CSU is 85.5%.  Its admission rate is the 76th lowest in California.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into CSU and can you get accepted?

California State University Chico is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 17,086 out of the 19,990 who applied were admitted.

The school has easy admission requirements, generally admitting students who can score in the top 64 percent on standardized admission tests. California State University Chico typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.37. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 11% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into CSU?

85% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to California State University Chico you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.37 or better
  • Earn B+ grades in high school
  • Score 1070 on the SAT
  • Score 21 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top 25% of your high school class

CSU GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.37

Typical High School Grades 

B+

What GPA do you need to get into California State University Chico?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into CSU are to have around a 3.37 high school GPA. You are required to have above average high school grades.

If your high school grades are above the average 3.37 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as CSU accepts 85% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at CSU is 3.37 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B+ letter grades and regularly score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #62 in California for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since CSU is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.4 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted California State University Chico students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 0% Good
3.75 to 3.99 21.0% Good
3.50 to 3.74 18.0% Avg +
3.25 to 3.49 21.0% Avg -
3.00 to 3.24 20.0% Avg -
2.50 to 2.99 19.0% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 1.0% Low
1.00 to 1.99 0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

CSU SAT Scores

Test Optional

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required or recommended by California State University Chico.

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

970-1170

Applicants Submitting SAT 

89%
SAT Scores for California State University Chico
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 490
Math 25th Percentile 480
Composite 25th Percentile 970
SAT Scores for California State University Chico
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 590
Math 75th Percentile 580
Composite 75th Percentile 1170
Average SAT Score 1070

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to California State University Chico?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at CSU is 1070 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 970-1170. Students who get into California State University Chico score in the top 66 percent of all SAT test takers..  CSU ranks #50 in the state of California for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1070 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. CSU regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 970 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 970, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 870, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

California State University Chico is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "neither required nor recommended".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1070 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1070, you have around a 85% chance of being admitted. A 1170 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 92% chance of getting in.

California State University Chico admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1170 and Above Good >92%
1070 to 1170 Avg + 85%-92%
970 to 1070 Avg - 75%-85%
870 to 970 Reach 61%-75%
Less than 870 Low <61%
Calculate My Chances 

CSU ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

18-24 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

36%
ACT Scores for California State University Chico
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 16
Math 25th Percentile 17
Composite 25th Percentile 18
ACT Scores for California State University Chico
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 24
Math 75th Percentile 24
Composite 75th Percentile 24
Average ACT Score 21

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into CSU?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to CSU is 21, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 18 and 24.  The school ranks #46 in California for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 21. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 18 and score in the score in the top 62 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 15.

36 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to California State University Chico.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as California State University Chico is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "neither required nor recommended".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into CSU for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 21 score has around 85% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 92% with a 24 ACT score.

California State University Chico admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
24 and Above Good >92%
21 to 24 Avg + 85%-92%
18 to 21 Avg - 75%-85%
15 to 18 Reach 61%-75%
Less than 15 Low <61%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

76% of California State University Chico freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 35% are in the top ten percent.

High School Class Rank for admitted California State University Chico students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 35%
Top 25% of class 76%
Top 50% of class 100%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

California State University Chico admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 11,569 8,421 19,990
Accepted 10,229 6,857 17,086
Acceptance Rate 88% 81% 85%
Enrolled 1,067 862 1,929
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 10% 13% 11%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2021 starting class

Fall 2024 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Dec 15, 2023

Days left to Apply

13

Applicants have 13 days left until the Fall 2024 term applications are due on Dec 15, 2023.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to California State University Chico is $70.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to California State University Chico and what student information is used for admission decisions?

California State University Chico Application Requirements
Test Scores Neither required nor recommended
High School GPA Required
High School Class Rank Neither required nor recommended
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required
Recommendations Neither required nor recommended
Demonstration of Competencies Neither required nor recommended

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at California State University Chico
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences Yes

Admission Requirements Summary

Because California State University Chico is lightly competitive to get into, you have a very good chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.37 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1070 and ACT of 21 will almost guarantee your admission.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to California State University Chico often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=110538 IPEDS survey data for California State University Chico.

FAQs

Does California State University Chico prefer SAT or ACT?

89% of students submit their SAT scores to CSU. 36% of applicants send their ACT scores when applying.

What is my chance of getting into California State University Chico?

85% of those who apply are granted admission to CSU. Admission competition is and the college has easy admission standards. See if your grades and scores are good enough for admission.

What SAT score is required for California State University Chico?

The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have SAT scores between 970 and 1170. The average SAT score is 1070. See if your SAT score is good enough for admission.

What ACT score is required for California State University Chico?

The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have ACT scores between 18 and 24. The average ACT score is 21. See if your ACT score is good enough for admission.