Located in downtown Chico, California State University, Chico offers more than 100 undergraduate areas of study. This branch of the California State University system was initially started in 1887 after the state legislature picked the location as a training ground for teachers. Originally named Chico Normal School, it hosted its first class in 1889 with 90 students. The name was later changed to Chico State Teachers College and then to Chico State College. It was finally named California State University, Chico in 1972.
Butte College's main campus is located in Oroville, approximately 25 miles from Chico. The Chico campus is located at 2320 Forest Ave. Butte students have a number of majors available to study as well as having a wide variety of activities and support available, such as tutoring, student clubs and sports. There are also a number of scholarships available to help students financially. Butte College also helps students transfer to four-year colleges.
Cal Northern School of Law is the single law school located between Oregon and Sacramento. Cal Northern School of Law offers night classes to traditional and non-traditional students in which they can earn their juris doctorate over a four-year program. This four-year program meets the necessary requirements to sit for the Bar Examination for the state of California. As of 2011, Cal Northern School of Law has the highest bar passing rate of any accredited law school in California.
University of Phoenix--North Valley Learning Center is a satellite campus of University of Phoenix, located at 500 Orient Street in Chico. University of Phoenix, started in 1976, strives to make education easily accessible to students for either online or campus enrollment. A number of bachelor's programs are available at the Chico location, including business administration, business/e-business, criminal justice and health administration. In addition to faculty, the school has a team of advisers to coach and counsel students as needed. The school has an innovative curriculum, offering everything from associate to doctorate degrees.