Understanding Chico State Tuition and Fees
Navigating the costs associated with higher education can be daunting. This article provides a comprehensive overview of tuition, mandatory fees, and other expenses at California State University, Chico (Chico State). Understanding these costs is crucial for prospective and current students to plan their finances effectively.
Student Fees: An Overview
Student Fees consist of a systemwide State Tuition Fee and various campus mandatory fees that students must pay to enroll in the University.
For an estimated moderate standard of living budget, please refer to the Chico State Cost of Attendance.
Historical Student Fees
Current and historical system-wide tuition fee information can be found on the CSU Budget Office Fee Schedule. For current year Student Fees please see the Fee Index (PDF). An annual report of student fee revenue is submitted to the Chancellor's Office and the Campus Fee Advisory Committee each year.
Fee Adjustments
Fees listed in published schedules or student accounts may need to be increased when public funding is inadequate. Therefore, CSU must reserve the right, even after fees are initially charged or initial fee payments are made, to increase or modify any listed fees. All listed fees, other than mandatory systemwide fees, are subject to change without notice, until the date when instruction for a particular semester or quarter has begun. All CSU listed fees should be regarded as estimates that are subject to change upon approval by the Board of Trustees, the Chancellor, or the Presidents, as appropriate.
Read also: California Community College: Butte College
Campus Fee Advisory Committee (CFAC)
Authorized by Executive Memorandum 22-045 (PDF), the Campus Fee Advisory Committee (CFAC) is charged with reviewing proposals to modify existing or establish new student fees for the purpose of providing advice to the campus president. The president is responsible for consulting the committee prior to implementing changes to campus mandatory student fees. The process involves several layers of review and approval:
- Department Chair
- College Dean/Appropriate Administrator
- Provost
- University Budget Office
- CFAC review and recommendation to the President and Chief Financial Officer
- Chief Financial Officer and President approve or deny the request
Consolidated Course Fee Guidelines
EO 1049 established a new Category II fee at CSU, Chico that consolidated the majority of our 300 individual miscellaneous course fees. The Consolidated Course Fee Guidelines (PDF) provides an annual allocation to colleges so they have more flexibility in covering course related expenditures as well as reducing the administrative burden of managing 300 individual fees. The approval process mirrors that of the CFAC:
- Department Chair
- College Dean/Appropriate Administrator
- Provost
- University Budget Office
- Chief Financial Officer and President approve or deny the request
Self Support Programs
Per Executive Order 1102, Category V fees are defined as fees paid to self-support programs such as extended education, Cal State Online extended education offerings, parking, and housing including materials and service fees, user fees, fines, and deposits. Self-support programs are defined as those not receiving state general fund appropriations; instead, fees are collected to pay the full cost of a program. The approval process is similar to the previously mentioned fees:
- Department Chair
- College Dean/Appropriate Administrator
- Provost
- University Budget Office
- Chief Financial Officer and President approve or deny the request
Systemwide Voluntary Fees
Per Executive Order 1102, Category VI fees are defined as systemwide voluntary fees. This fee category has been newly added effective Fall 2015. A current example of this fee is the Student Involvement and Representation Fee. Fees are developed, reviewed, approved, and established by the Chancellor's Office. Collection of the fee shall occur twice annually in the fall and spring academic terms. Each time the fee is assessed, students shall be provided a clear and unambiguous means to decline the payment of the fee.
Tuition and Fees for 2026-27 Academic Year
The amount you’ll pay in tuition and fees varies, depending on your student type and how many class units you take each semester. These costs represent two semesters-your tuition and fees for a full year.
Read also: Comprehensive Guide to Wildcat Scholarships
Annual Fee Schedule
| Student Type | 0-6 units per semester | 6.1+ units per semester |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | $6,472 | $9,348 |
| Credential | $7,114 | $10,448 |
| Graduate | $7,470 | $11,058 |
Cost of Attendance (COA) Explained
Cost of Attendance (COA) is an estimate of what it typically costs to attend Chico State for one academic year (9 months). It’s meant to help you plan for college-not a bill you have to pay. The COA includes:
- Direct costs paid to Chico State, like tuition and fees
- Estimated indirect costs, like housing, food, transportation, and personal expenses
Every college has its own COA based on local costs. When you compare schools, you may find that Chico State has a more affordable cost of living than many other college towns. Your actual costs may be higher or lower depending on your major, residency status, living situation, personal spending, or veteran benefits. You may be able to spend less by having roommates, eating out less, or walking, biking, or taking the bus-local buses are free for Chico State students. Keep in mind: these are estimates for a typical student. Your costs may be different, so think about what applies to you and plan accordingly.
Estimated Standard Full-Time Budgets for 2026-27
Undergraduate Costs
| Expense | Off-Campus (California Resident) | On-Campus (California Resident) | With Relatives (California Resident) | WUE 12 Units Off-Campus (4) | Non-Resident 12 units Off-Campus (5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition (2) | $6,838 | $6,838 | $6,838 | $10,258 | $18,142 |
| Mandatory Campus Fees (2) | $2,506 | $2,506 | $2,506 | $2,506 | $2,506 |
| Books / Supplies | $1,174 | $1,174 | $1,174 | $1,174 | $1,174 |
| Living Expenses (Housing) | $6,835 | $9,628 | $3,551 | $6,835 | $6,835 |
| Living Expenses (Food) (3) | $5,979 | $5,992 | $5,979 | $5,979 | $5,979 |
| Transportation | $1,922 | $768 | $2,334 | $1,922 | $1,922 |
| Personal Expenses | $3,502 | $2,640 | $2,792 | $3,502 | $3,502 |
| TOTAL | $28,756 | $29,546 | $25,174 | $32,176 | $40,060 |
Graduate Costs
| Expense | Off-Campus (California Resident) | On-Campus (California Resident) | With Relatives (California Resident) | Non-Resident 8 units Off-Campus (5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition / Fees (2) | $8,368 | $8,368 | $8,368 | $15,904 |
| Mandatory Campus Fees (2) | $2,506 | $2,506 | $2,506 | $2,506 |
| Books / Supplies | $1,174 | $1,174 | $1,174 | $1,174 |
| Living Expenses (Housing) | $6,835 | $9,628 | $3,551 | $6,835 |
| Living Expenses (Food) (3) | $5,979 | $5,992 | $5,979 | $5,979 |
| Transportation | $1,922 | $768 | $2,334 | $1,922 |
| Personal Expenses | $3,502 | $2,640 | $2,792 | $3,502 |
| TOTAL | $30,286 | $31,076 | $26,704 | $37,822 |
Footnotes for Cost of Attendance Tables
(1a) Undergraduate budget chart is for a 9-month academic year and reflects the actual cost for full-time tuition and mandatory campus fees. Books/supplies are averaged estimates. The costs for food/housing, transportation, and personal expenses are averaged estimates that vary by student depending on their living arrangements.
(1b) Postbaccalaureate budget chart is for a 9-month academic year and reflects weighted averages of actual Credential and Graduate tuition and fees. Books/supplies are averaged estimates. The costs for food/housing, transportation, and personal expenses are averaged estimates that vary by student depending on their living arrangements.
(2) Tuition/Fees are based on full-time enrollment. All fees are subject to change based on Board of Trustees action. See Student Financial Services for fees and deadlines. There is an additional $321 per unit per semester for the in-person campus MBA and for the MS in Business Analytics.
Read also: Understanding Your Chico State GPA
(3) Living Expenses - Food: The Hungry Wildcat Food Pantry is part of our Basic Needs resources. Our food pantry combats food insecurity by providing a wide assortment of nutritious food products to Chico State students and staff. They specialize in the distribution of local, farm-direct, organic produce and foods.
(4) Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) fees: WUE students pay 150% of the State University Tuition Fee and 100% of the campus fees. The undergraduate WUE additional tuition fees noted above represent the additional 50% of the tuition for 12 units. Calculation used in this table: Undergraduate tuition + additional 50% tuition = $10,258 for fall and spring semester. Campus mandatory fees = $2,506 for fall and spring semester.
(5) Non-Resident/International student fees are calculated by multiplying $471 per unit with the number of full-time units (12 units for undergraduate and 8 units for postbaccalaureate).
- Undergraduate: tuition for 12 units is $6,838 + ($471 x 12 units x 2 semesters) = $18,142 for fall and spring semester. Mandatory campus fees = $2,506 for fall and spring
- Postbaccalaureate: Tuition for 8 units is $8,368 + ($471 x 8 units x 2 semesters) = $15,904 for fall and spring semester. Mandatory campus fees = $2,506 for fall and spring semester.
Additional Fees
Non-Resident and Professional Program Fees
Additional fees are required for non-resident (out-of-state & international) and on-campus MBA students.
- Non-resident Fees - additional $471 per unit
- Graduate Professional Fees - additional $321 per unit
Reduced Fees for Non-Residents from Western States
Through Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE), students in western states, including Alaska and Hawaii, may enroll in many four-year college programs outside of their home state at a reduced fee level: 150 percent of the institution’s regular resident tuition. This amount is considerably less than non-resident tuition.
Estimated International Full-Time Budgets for 2026-27
| Expense | Bachelor's Degree (Undergraduate Students) | Master's Degree (Graduate Students) |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition / Fees 2, 3, 4 | $9,288 | $10,998 |
| Non-Resident Tuition ($471/unit) 5 | $11,304 (12 Units x 2) | $8,478 (9 units x 2) |
| Books and Supplies | $1,122 | $1,122 |
| Housing | $6,750 | $6,750 |
| Meals | $5,662 | $5,662 |
| Personal | $1,800 | $1,800 |
| Health Insurance 6 | $1,500 | $1,500 |
| TOTAL | $37,426 | $36,310 |
| TOTAL (MBA/MSBA) 2 | $42,088 (Additional $321 per unit) |
Important Notes for International Students
- All new international students pay an additional one-time fee of $200 during their first semester.
- International students pay registration fees (which all students pay) plus non-resident tuition at an additional $471 for each unit (credit) taken during the semester. For more information about fees, go to Student Accounts and Fee Deadlines.
- International students must purchase health and accident insurance each semester.
- International students must demonstrate an ability to pay the University’s estimated cost of attendance for the first academic year.
Understanding Additional Cost Factors
Housing and Food Expenses
Your costs for housing and food are estimates based on whether you live on- or off-campus and the type of meal plan you get on campus. For students living off campus, you can save money by eating at home more often and having roommates.
- Off-Campus - Housing: $6,835
- Off-Campus - Food: $5,979
- On-Campus - Housing: $9,628
- On-Campus - Food: $5,992
- With Relatives - Housing: $3,551
- With Relatives - Food: $5,979
These food and housing rates are averages and are used by the Financial Aid & Scholarship Office for the purpose of packaging financial aid. Review current on-campus housing and dining rates and explore off-campus housing options for more information.
AB990 & SB467 Information: Housing Costs Near Chico Campus
| 2026 | |
|---|---|
| 1 Bedroom | $1,325 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,690 |
| 2 Bedrooms - Renting Room | $845 |
| 3 Bedrooms - Renting Room | $783 |
| 4 Bedrooms - Renting Room | $709 |
(Data source: HUD 2025 Small Area Fair Market Rents within a 5-mile radius of CSU campuses).
It is important to understand the above average cost is for rent only and does not include cost of food, utilities, garbage, rental deposit, and other necessary expenses to rent an apartment. Most students usually share an apartment to reduce their cost of food and housing. For more information about off-campus housing and services provided by the university for students living off-campus, see Off Campus Student Services.
Books, Supplies, and Personal Expenses
In addition to books and supplies, you may have transportation expenses (to go home on break, for example) as well as various personal expenses. With careful budgeting, you can control these expenses, so they can vary based on each student’s needs.
Strategies for Managing College Costs
Financial Aid Options
Scholarships, Grants, and Fee Waivers and Student Employment are two ways for students to earn money for tuition and living expenses.
- Wildcat Scholarships: Chico State offers hundreds of need- and merit-based scholarships. Don’t miss out: Even if you don’t think you’ll qualify, we encourage all students to apply.
- Grants: These awards do not need to be repaid. They reduce the amount of money you need to pay at the start of each semester.
- Federal Work-Study: Students who demonstrate financial need can earn money to cover their educational expenses with a Federal Work-Study job. These jobs accommodate student schedules.
- Loans: Loans are financial aid that must be repaid once the student graduates or stops attending school. Low-interest federal student loans are available to most students; other possible sources are private loans and loans for parents, for those who qualify.
- Middle Class Scholarship: When you submit your FAFSA or CADAA, you may be considered for the Middle Class Scholarship.
The first step to financial aid is filing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application (CADAA), if you’re an undocumented or DACA student.
Net Price Calculator
Waiting to see how much financial aid you might receive can be stressful. But our Net Price Calculator can give you an estimate before you even file a FAFSA or CADAA, using some basic information about your family’s finances. Every year, Chico State students receive over $131 million in aid. Even if you think your family has too much money to qualify, we encourage you to apply: Many students are eligible for the California Middle Class Scholarship and low-interest loans.
Payment Methods
For information on making payments, see Payment Methods.
Appeals Process
Students and their families may face situations where the FAFSA or CADAA information does not accurately reflect their current ability to pay for college. Other students may have experienced extenuating circumstances that prevented them from meeting satisfactory academic progress. There are a variety of appeal options available to assist students in these situations.
Chico State: An Affordable Option
California State University--Chico's tuition is $8,896 for in-state and $21,998 for out-of-state students. Compared with the national average cost of in-state tuition of $12,436, California State University--Chico is cheaper. For students coming from out of state, the tuition is cheaper than the national average cost of out-of-state tuition of $29,815. These figures include both tuition and fees, also referred to as the sticker price. Fees differ by institution and may fund library services, student gym facilities, student centers, technology resources and campus health centers.
As you’re comparing costs of different institutions, also consider the total cost and the net price. The total cost is the sticker price, plus the cost of food and housing, books and supplies, and transportation and personal expenses. At California State University--Chico, the total cost is $28,506 for in-state students and $40,974 for out-of-state students. “Affordability” is in the eye of the beholder. But almost everybody agrees: A Chico State education is among the best values in higher education.
Conclusion
Understanding the various components of Chico State's tuition and fees is essential for effective financial planning. By exploring financial aid options, utilizing the Net Price Calculator, and carefully budgeting for living expenses, students can make their college education more affordable. Despite potential fee increases due to funding fluctuations, Chico State remains a valuable and accessible option for higher education.
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