California State University, Chico has again been named one of the top universities in the Western United States, according to the 2027 Best Colleges Rankings from U.S. News & World Report, climbing in several key categories.
Chico State placed #8 in the Top Public Schools (West) category, up a slot from last year, and maintained its #16 spot in Overall in Regional Universities (West).
The University has long been acknowledged as an affordable, high-quality destination for students, many the first in their family to attend college, to obtain the life-changing power of a college degree. Chico State is listed as a top destination for Social Mobility (#25, West—up five slots from the previous year) and #8 in Best Value Schools, West—up from #21 in 2026.
Chico State’s engineering excellence is nationally recognized, with Computer Engineering ranked #11 and Electrical and Electronic Engineering #18 among universities that do not offer doctoral degrees. In all, the magazine listed Chico State in 11 categories. Several academic programs were highlighted in national rankings:
Chico State also earned recognition for its support of U.S. service members and veterans. The magazine ranked the University #9 in the Best Colleges for Veterans—Regional Universities (West), an improvement from its #12 ranking in this category last year.
“These rankings reflect the breadth of Chico State’s strengths—from providing an accessible, high-value education that advances social mobility to offering nationally recognized academic programs,” said Leslie Cornick, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. “Our recognition as a leading regional public university, a top college for veterans and a best-value institution affirms our commitment to creating opportunities for students and preparing them to succeed after graduation.”
For more than four decades, U.S. News & World Report‘s Best Colleges rankings have guided millions of students and families in their college search. The 2027 edition evaluated more than 1,700 colleges and universities, using up to 17 factors to measure academic quality and graduate success.
Earlier this month, Chico State earned national recognition in Washington Monthly’s annual 2026 Best Colleges for Your Tuition (and Tax) Dollars rankings. The University was ranked #56 out of more than 1,500 universities nationwide based on access, affordability, and outcomes for students, as well as public service opportunities. The University also ranked #18 for being one of the best colleges in the West.
Forbes also recognized Chico State this month, ranking the University #251 out of about 1,600 four-year colleges and Universities, based on student outcomes.
Michael Drummond is Chico State’s media relations coordinator. He is a Pulitzer Prize finalist, a former war correspondent, author of “Renegades of the Empire,” and enjoys surfing and fishing.
We acknowledge and are mindful that Chico State stands on lands that were originally occupied by the first people of this area, the Mechoopda, and we recognize their distinctive spiritual relationship with this land, the flora, the fauna, and the waters that run through campus.
We are humbled that our campus resides upon sacred lands that since time immemorial have sustained the Mechoopda people and continue to do so today.
Chico State Today is an official site of California State University, Chico.
California State University, Chico 400 West First Street Chico, CA 95929
Copyright © 2026 All Rights Reserved