Chico State's accredited prelicensure BSN combines nursing coursework, clinical experience, skills labs, and simulation. Applicants apply separately to the university and NursingCAS. Admission requires minimum overall and prerequisite GPAs and the application-year Casper test; eligible applicants are ranked using the school's published points criteria. TEAS is not used for admission.
- Program
- Bachelor's Degree in Nursing (BSN)
- Credential
- BSN
- Location
- Chico, California, United States
- Casper
- Required
- Next deadline
- December 15, 2026 (Fall 2027 domestic Cal State Apply general deadline (pre-nursing may close earlier))
- Interview
- No interview
- Seats
- 40 offered seats per intake
Casper Requirement for California State University, Chico Undergraduate Nursing
California State University, Chico Undergraduate Nursing requires Casper for the 2026-2027 cycle.
- Test to book
- Nursing-Undergraduate
- Languages
- English
- Score distribution deadline
- March 1, 2027
Upcoming Casper test dates
- October 20, 2026 at 5:00 PM PDT
- November 12, 2026 at 5:00 PM PST
- December 3, 2026 at 5:00 PM PST
- January 16, 2027 at 10:00 AM PST
- February 4, 2027 at 5:00 PM PST
- February 23, 2027 at 5:00 PM PST
Test dates can change: confirm availability in your Acuity Insights account at takecasper.com.
Book the application-year Casper version and select Chico State for distribution by the NursingCAS deadline. A score need not be available by then; the school allows distribution processing afterward when the test was registered and Chico State selected before the deadline.
Casper format
Casper is an online, open-response situational judgment test run by Acuity Insights. The current format has 11 scenarios (4 video-response and 7 typed-response) with 2 questions each and takes about 65 to 85 minutes, including optional breaks. Typed-response scenarios allow 3.5 minutes to answer both questions.
Practice with Bright Doctor's Casper Question Bank, featuring 100+ scenarios and 300+ expert responses.
California State University, Chico Undergraduate Nursing Application Deadlines 2026-2027
- Apply through
- Cal State Apply and NursingCAS
- Applications open
- Fall 2027 Cal State Apply opened August 1, 2026; submission begins October 1, 2026. Fall NursingCAS applications open January 1, 2027.
- Application fee
- NursingCAS $70 for the first undergraduate program and $55 for each additional program in its 2026-2027 cycle.
| What | When |
|---|---|
| Fall 2027 domestic Cal State Apply general deadline (pre-nursing may close earlier) | December 15, 2026upcoming |
| Fall 2027 NursingCAS application and document deadline (8:59 PM Pacific time) | March 1, 2027upcoming |
| Casper score distribution deadline | March 1, 2027upcoming |
| Fall international Cal State Apply general deadline (NursingCAS closes earlier) | May 1, 2027upcoming |
Apply as Pre-Nursing through Cal State Apply and separately to the Basic BSN through NursingCAS; university admission does not confer nursing admission. Send official transcripts and applicable AP scores to Chico State and NursingCAS. Current Chico State students send transcripts to NursingCAS, but not to Chico State unless requested. NursingCAS must receive materials by its deadline; late documents are not accepted.
California State University, Chico Undergraduate Nursing Admissions Statistics
Period: Fall 2026 admissions
- Seats / class size: 40 offered seats per intake
- Chico and local applicants' acceptance rate: 75%
- Chico-only applicants' acceptance rate: 49%
- Local-only applicants' acceptance rate: 10%
- Out-of-service-area transfers' acceptance rate: <1%
The listed acceptance rates describe nursing applicants by local-status group, not university-wide admission.
Eligibility Requirements for California State University, Chico Undergraduate Nursing
- Degree / credits
A prior bachelor's degree is not required; eligible postbaccalaureate applicants may apply.
- Residency
California residents and students eligible for in-state tuition are considered before nonresident applicants; eligible local-area applicants receive preference.
- Language proficiency
Applicants whose native language is not English may need to demonstrate proficiency unless eligible for a waiver. Undergraduate minimums include TOEFL iBT 61, IELTS 6.0, PTE 47, or Duolingo 95; second-bachelor's minimums are higher.
Complete 9 of 12 prerequisites, including at least three of four in each course group, with C or higher when applying; remaining courses may be in progress, not merely planned. Science prerequisites and statistics must be in progress or completed within the preceding seven years.
Other requirements
- Admission clearance: Applicants accepting an offer must pass a background check and drug screen, including cannabis; a positive cannabis result causes loss of admission.
- Nursing practice capabilities: Applicants must meet the program's stated emotional and physical requirements for safe patient care; reasonable accommodations are made where possible.
Selection Factors California State University, Chico Considers
Prerequisites
| Course | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Foundation: oral communication, written communication, critical thinking, statistics | C or higher Communication courses may be waived for some prior bachelor's graduates. |
| Sciences: anatomy, physiology, chemistry, microbiology | C or higher; each course includes a lab and meets minimum unit requirements No survey or introductory science courses. |
| Health studies: nutrition, development/lifespan psychology, psychology, sociology/cultural diversity | C or higher See course equivalents. |
GPA
- How it is calculated
Use cumulative GPA or GPA in the last 60 units for the overall minimum, plus GPA in completed prerequisites. AP scores do not enter GPA; for repeated prerequisites, the highest grade establishes eligibility.
- Minimum
- 3.0 cumulative (or last 60 units); 3.5 in prerequisite courses
Only completed prerequisite courses count toward the prerequisite GPA minimum.
Experience and volunteer hours
Recommended.
Qualifying experience earns points but is not an eligibility minimum: 200 volunteer hours at a nonprofit or healthcare agency within two years, or six months of qualifying certified healthcare work within two years. Only the highest applicable experience category counts.
Supplementary application
Complete the program-specific NursingCAS materials. Upload documentation for any claimed volunteer or qualifying work experience, second-language proficiency, or veteran preference. Letters of recommendation are not considered.
How applicants are ranked
Eligible applicants are ranked by points; the top 40 are offered seats. Points consider local/Chico State preference (up to 30%), qualifying work or volunteering (up to 30%), Casper (up to 30%), second-language proficiency (up to 5%), and qualifying veteran status (5%). California residents and applicants eligible for in-state tuition are considered before nonresidents.
Interview Format at California State University, Chico
Format: No interview
Admission is determined through eligibility review and the published points-based selection process.
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Start Practicing FreeCurriculum at California State University, Chico Undergraduate Nursing
- Structure
Nursing coursework combines classroom instruction, skills labs, simulation, and clinical practice with community partners.
- Campuses
- Chico
The prelicensure general option prepares students for initial RN licensure and Public Health Nursing certification; students practice in the Rural Northern California Simulation Center and clinical settings.
Campus and facilities
Located in Chico, California, a classic college town with 23,000+ students. The School of Nursing uses on-campus simulation labs and affiliates with regional hospitals for clinicals. Proximity to outdoor recreation supports work-life balance.
Tuition and Funding at California State University, Chico
- 2026-27 full-time undergraduate tuition and mandatory fees, two semesters: $9,348
- 2026-27 part-time undergraduate tuition and mandatory fees, two semesters: $6,472
- Additional nonresident fee: $471 per unit
Clinical-course fees and living expenses may add to these charges.
What Applicants Are Saying
Matriculated students report that while university-wide stats provide context, nursing-specific benchmarks demand overperformance: Bs are acceptable, but top grades in prerequisites separate candidates. Students note more book learning than hands-on clinicals compared to nearby programs. Students describe Chico as a fantastic college town with vibrant social scenes, supportive peers, and manageable commutes. Nursing cohorts form tight communities amid heavy coursework. Many report high satisfaction despite competitiveness.
Shared by applicants and students on forums and communities. It is anecdotal, not official program information.
How to Prepare Your California State University, Chico Undergraduate Nursing Application
- Check prerequisite completion and GPA eligibility before applying.
- Apply as Pre-Nursing through Cal State Apply and submit the separate NursingCAS application with all required transcripts and applicable AP scores.
- Book the application-year Casper test and select Chico State for distribution by the NursingCAS deadline.
- Document qualifying volunteer or healthcare work, language proficiency, or veteran status if claiming preference points.
- Review the program's points-based selection criteria and admission-clearance requirements.
More About California State University, Chico Undergraduate Nursing
- Accreditation
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
Frequently Asked Questions About California State University, Chico Undergraduate Nursing
Does CSU Chico Undergraduate Nursing require Casper?
Yes. Book Nursing-Undergraduate Casper for the application year and select Chico State for distribution by the NursingCAS deadline.
What GPA do I need for CSU Chico Nursing?
At least 3.0 cumulatively or in the last 60 units, plus 3.5 across completed prerequisites.
Is TEAS required for CSU Chico Undergraduate Nursing?
No. Chico State does not use TEAS in its nursing admission criteria.
What is the interview format at CSU Chico School of Nursing?
The published selection process ranks eligible applicants by points; it does not describe an admission interview.
How competitive is CSU Chico Undergraduate Nursing admissions?
The school offers seats to the 40 eligible applicants with the most points. Acceptance rates vary substantially by local status.
Does CSU Chico Nursing emphasize clinical or classroom learning?
The curriculum includes classroom learning, skills labs, simulation, and clinical experience with community partners.
Are international students eligible for CSU Chico Undergraduate Nursing?
Check CSU international requirements; Casper English-only applies. Visit the admissions site for details.
What are NCLEX pass rates for CSU Chico Nursing graduates?
Review latest rates on the School of Nursing website; CCNE accreditation supports strong outcomes.
Sources
- csuchico.edu: school nursing
- csuchico.edu: bsn.shtml
- calstate.edu: how to apply
- csuchico.edu: admission criteria point fall2026
- ccctransfer.org: NursingCriteria2020
- princetonreview.com: california state university chico 1023363
- prepscholar.com: Cal State Chico admission requirements
- catalog.csuchico.edu: nursing bs
- catalog.csuchico.edu: nursing bs
- catalog.csuchico.edu: nursing
- csuchico.edu: interviewing.shtml
- blog.accepted.com: how to get accepted to chicago medical school at rosalind franklin episode 438
Last updated: September 26, 2026