California State University [CSU CHICO], Chico: Courses and Fees 2026-27

California State University, Chico has an October 1, 2026 deadline for international graduate applications for Spring 2027. Postgraduate tuition ranges from USD 19,476–25,254 (INR 18.61–24.13 lakhs) per year, while undergraduate tuition is USD 20,592 (INR 19.67 lakhs) annually. The popular MS in Computer Science falls under the standard postgraduate rate of USD 19,476 (INR 18.61 lakhs) per year.

The cost of studying in Chico also includes living expenses. The university estimates USD 16,834 (INR 16.08 lakhs) for nine months of living costs. Of this, USD 6,750 (INR 6.45 lakhs) is allocated for housing. Chico State also notes that average rent is around 43% lower than California’s average, with free citywide B-Line bus travel.

• MS in Data Science and Analytics: INR 70.08 lakhs for two years, including tuition, living expenses, university fees, and known visa costs.
• Average first-year budget: INR 35.39 lakhs, excluding any unverified deposit.
• Fall 2027: Fees have not yet been published, so the total cost may change when the new rates are released.

For students comparing programs, the MS in Computer Science offers a lower standard tuition rate, while the Data Science and Analytics budget provides a more complete estimate including living and other costs.

Note: Exchange rate used: 1 USD = INR 95.53 on August 29, 2026.

Also check,

• California State University [CSU CHICO] Chico: Admissions 2026, Scholarships, Fees 2026, Rankings & Courses
• Study in USA for Indian Students: Find Universities and Costs 
• Courses in USA After 12th Science for Indian Students
• Cost of MS in USA for Indian Students 2026​

California State University, Chico Tuition Fees by Programme

The 2026 - 27 fee structure starts at USD 19,476 (INR 18.61 lakhs) per year for standard full-time international postgraduate study. Programs such as the Master of Public Administration (MPA) and Master of Social Work (MSW) follow their respective official program durations.

California State University, Chico PG Fees: Spring 2027 and Fall 2027

Postgraduate tuition is USD 19,476 (INR 18.61 lakhs) per year for most master’s programs. MBA and MS in Business Analytics (MSBA) have a higher annual tuition and fee rate of USD 25,254 (INR 24.13 lakhs). For a lower-cost shortlist, start with the standard master’s programs, then account for the additional business-program costs and consider Psychology’s three-year budget separately.

• Computer Science MS requires 30 units, while Data Science and Analytics MS requires at least 34 units.
• Public Administration MPA requires 36-37 units and can extend to three years part-time.
• Psychology MS is a three-year Marriage and Family Therapy route with 60 units.
• MBA and MSBA add USD 321 (INR 30,665) per required unit to standard graduate billing.
• Business Analytics MS and Data Science and Analytics MS publish no Spring admission, making Fall 2027 their next entry.

California State University, Chico Undergraduate Fees: Spring 2027 and Fall 2027

Undergraduate tuition is USD 20,592 (INR 19.67 lakhs) per year for full-time bachelor’s programs. Both Bachelor of Science (BS) and Bachelor of Arts (BA) programs follow the university’s current program structure. Use this common tuition rate as the starting point, then compare the specific requirements and curriculum for each discipline before estimating the total four-year cost.

• The identical undergraduate rate reflects level-based international billing, not a course-specific discount.
• Computer Science BS combines programming, algorithms, artificial intelligence, and machine learning.
• Mechanical Engineering BS includes mathematics, physics, automation, fluid mechanics, and thermodynamics.
• Civil Engineering BS offers environmental, structural, transportation, and water-resource options.
• Spring 2027 undergraduate applications close September 30, 2026; Fall 2027 is the next cycle.

Cost of Living in Chico for Indian Students

Chico’s official nine-month living estimate is USD 16,834 (INR 16.08 Lakhs) for master’s students. The estimate includes housing, meals, personal spending, books, and health insurance. The university publishes these figures on its International Tuition and Fees page.

• The housing line averages USD 6,750 (INR 6.45 Lakhs) across nine academic months, not twelve months.
• Meals add USD 5,662 (INR 5.41 Lakhs), so cooking access changes the monthly cash pattern.
• Student identity cards provide citywide B-Line bus travel, reducing the need for a separate transit budget.
• The official brochure cites 43% lower average rent than California, but publishes no private-room range.
• Private leases, deposits, and room availability need separate confirmation because the official cost table does not specify them.

Total Cost of Studying at California State University, Chico

The average first-year budget for MS Data Science and Analytics is INR 35.39 Lakhs before any deposit. The route uses nine months of living costs and known United States visa charges.

• The lower scope excludes health insurance from living and places it inside mandatory fees.
• The university estimate matches CSU Chico’s published nine-month master’s budget plus new fee and visa charges.
• Higher enrollment uses the official USD 471 (INR 44,995) non-resident rate for 24 graduate units.
• Deposits, airfare, and private housing deposits are excluded because no verified amount is published.
• Visa charges appear as one-year comparisons but are paid before travel, not monthly.

California State University, Chico Scholarships for Indian Students

CSU Chico does not have a fixed published amount for its graduate fee waiver. The undergraduate waiver ranges from USD 2,000 - 11,000 (INR 1.91 - 10.51 lakhs), but this amount applies only to undergraduate students. Graduate financial support is limited and non-renewable, with no specific waiver amount published. Form I-20 is the Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status required for the F-1 student visa process.

• Wildcat awards do not reduce Spring 2027 tuition because the 2026-27 application is closed.
• The April 1 scholarship deadline precedes the May 1 Fall 2027 undergraduate application deadline.
• The undergraduate waiver applies for one academic year and requires full-time enrolment.
• Graduate applicants should approach their programme coordinator because no amount or deadline is published.
• Scholarship awards do not remove the financial documentation required for Form I-20.

External Scholarships for Indian Students

Also check, Popular Scholarships to Study in USA

California State University, Chico Tuition Deposit and Payment Options

No standard international deposit amount is published in the available official information. The application fee is separate, and tuition payments follow the university’s registration deadlines.

Course-specific deposits and Form I-20

No verified deposit amount is published for MS in Computer Science, MPA, or MBA. Chico State uses Form I-20 for international students. A CAS is used for the UK system, not for Chico State.

• MS Computer Science: Deposit not published; Spring 2027 deadline: October 1, 2026
• MPA: Deposit not published; Spring 2027 deadline: October 1, 2026
• MBA: Deposit not published; Spring 2027 deadline: November 1, 2026
• Refund policy and tuition-credit treatment: Not stated in the available official information.

Payment methods

The available information does not identify a specific international payment provider. Students can generally use bank/telegraphic transfer according to the instructions on their student account. If the university provides a named international payment provider in the billing notice, that option can also be used. Forex cards may offer around 2–3% conversion savings compared with a standard wire transfer. Education-loan funds can also be arranged around the university’s payment deadlines.

Steps to pay tuition

• Accept the admission offer through Cal State Apply.
• Check your student account for billed registration and tuition charges.
• Pay the required amount using the university’s stated payment instructions.
• Complete the financial documentation required for your Form I-20.
• Pay the remaining tuition according to each registration deadline.
• Keep all payment receipts for your records and F-1 visa documentation.

No standard installment schedule or full-payment discount is published. Graduate payment deadlines are course-specific, while the 2026–27 cost estimates are provided on an annual basis.

Hidden Costs of Studying at California State University, Chico

• The October 1, 2026 Spring 2027 graduate deadline coincides with the Fall 2027 submission opening.
• Student application fee: USD 70 (INR 6,687), paid through Cal State Apply.
• Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) fee: USD 350 (INR 33,436).
• The United States Department of State lists the student visa fee as USD 185 (INR 17,673).
• New international student fee: USD 200 (INR 19,106), charged during the first semester.
• Health insurance: USD 1,500 (INR 1.43 Lakhs) annually, per the university estimate.
• English-test retakes, bank charges, airfare, and personal setup costs have no verified amount here.