The campus opened in 1889 with 90 students and five faculty members. The first class of teachers graduated in June 1891. Chico State Normal School became Chico State Teachers College in 1921. The legislature converted its teachers colleges to state colleges in 1935, and Chico State Teachers College became Chico State College. In 1972, the College became California State University, Chico. The campus proper is 119 acres. The University also manages 800 acres of farm land and 240 acres of range land.