Greetings.

In this catalog, you will discover a wealth of information about Chico State, an award-winning university and leading institution in inclusion, sustainability, and civic engagement. As you explore this site, you will discover people, programs, advising services, and other resources available at Chico State where we are committed to  student success, innovation, academic excellence, and transformative student experiences. Our faculty provide a high-quality, high-value education in a college-town setting. This has been our legacy since our founding nearly 140 years ago.

A comprehensive, four-year university, Chico State embraces the motto “Today Decides Tomorrow” and our students are encouraged to define their tomorrow through their pursuit of an academic degree, personal discovery, and their own personal calling. Guided by our Chico State Playbook and our Community Agreements, we aspire to create a vital and collaborative living and learning experience for our nearly 14,800 undergraduate and graduate students in an environment devoted to reason, respect, civility, and community, as well as an appreciation for our beautiful downtown home in the city of Chico.

Our mission is to serve Northern California, the state, the nation, and the global community by adhering to a set of guiding principles.

Our commitment to community: We hold dear the values of multicultural respect, awareness, and understanding, and we pursue diversity not just as an idea to embrace but as a way of life. As a Hispanic-Serving Institution where nearly half of our students are the first in their family to pursue a four-year degree, we remain committed to expanding equity, access, and belonging. Today, we are building momentum to provide an excellent and equitable education for our students and to assemble a more diverse and innovative workforce.

Our focus on the future: We live in an interconnected world and have responsibilities to dwell responsibly in the present and be mindful of the footprint we leave behind. Chico State is frequently recognized for its longstanding commitment to providing leadership toward a more sustainable and resilient future, and for creating leaders who will help shape what tomorrow looks like for future generations.

Our commitment to each other: It is our mission to serve Northern California, the state, the nation, and the global community through excellence in learning, scholarship and creativity, and public engagement. Students at Chico State have opportunities to help meet a broad base of community needs, engaging through curricular and co-curricular experiences that actively involve them in serving the public good. And, as a member of the Wildcat community, they are supported through every step of their academic journey. Every class, every connection, and every experience helps them build a meaningful future—because at Chico State, tomorrow calls.

It is no secret that Chico State is a top-value school. We pride ourselves on the opportunities we offer, the transformations we witness, and the remarkable success of our students and alumni. The University Catalog is a window for you to discover how you will seize your potential. With more than 300 programs of study and distinctive hands-on learning environments—from our 800-acre University Farm to the largest ecological reserve in the CSU—your possibilities here are boundless. If you’re ready to do something meaningful—with your time, your talent, your future—Chico State is ready too. Join us!

Steve Perez
California State University, Chico President