Chico State’s fall semester started on a high note Monday, as enrollment numbers continue to climb for the fourth year in a row.
This academic year, nearly 16,000 students are expected to attend the university. However, Chico State still has around 2,000 fewer students than it did before the 2018 Camp Fire and COVID-19 pandemic.
Chico State President Steve Perez said the school has been working hard to bounce back from its enrollment slump.
“We’ve done great work on enrollment, our budget and everything that we do,” Perez said. “Let’s make it more sustainable, that’s my goal for this year.”
For students arriving on campus, affordability and the campus itself were among the draws.
Jayde Guerrero of Soledad said those factors helped her choose Chico State.
“I would definitely say the scenery of the campus and the low cost of all the tuition altogether,” Guerrero said.
Freshman Malaya Woods of Sacramento said the chance to get meaningful work experience topped her list.
“I like that there was a lot of internship opportunities here,” Woods said.
Fourth-year student Enza Cosio of Dixon had some advice for students just starting out.
"Don't procrastinate. Keep on top of your work,” Cosio said. “I would recommend trying to find a balance of worklife — going out too that’s equally as important.”
Cosio also suggested living in the moment.
“Just enjoy the time because it goes by really quick,” she said.
In his speech, Perez said Chico State is expecting an improved budget outlook this year, following increased state funding in the governor’s budget.
That comes after the university faced an estimated budget deficit of $11 to $20 million last year, according to a 2025 statement from Perez.
NSPR student radio producer Anthony Vasek contributed to this story.
Editor’s note: Chico State owns NSPR’s broadcast licenses but does not oversee the station’s news production or programming.
