Chico State

Chico State is a mid-large size school with 16,000 undergraduates, but has a small town feel. The school is located in Chico; about 90 miles north of Sacramento, close to the Sierra foothills and is a beautiful campus and setting.Almost all students at Chico are from California. Unlike some of the other Cal State schools, almost all students live on campus.

Chico gets high marks for teaching, and what sets it apart compared to the UC school system, professors are not pressured to publish for tenure, so they are there to teach. In addition, the student: teacher ratio is 23:1 and 66% of students graduate. Students rave about their teachers and generally feel that school is manageable.

Top majors include business, psychology, nursing, liberal studies, construction, biology, sociology, exercise, physiology, and mechanical engineering.

Chico has an active Greek system, Division II sports, and the vibe is friendly, laid back and enjoyable. Generally, students seem happy and content.