Chico State University has been placed among the nation's top universities, according to the 2026 Best Colleges Rankings from US News & World Report. The university climbed to No. 9 in the Top Public Schools (West) category, improving by two slots from last year, and reached No. 16 Overall in Regional Universities (West), up four slots from the previous year. Chico State has also been listed as a top destination for Social Mobility at No. 30 (West) and Best Value Schools at No. 21 (West). Chico State also ranked amongst the best universities according to Money Magazine's list of "Best Colleges in America" for 2025 with 4.5 out of a possible 5 stars