Chadron State College was announced in January 1909 as the fourth normal school in the state. Bidders for the college included the towns of Ainsworth, Alliance, Chadron, Crawford, Gordon, and Rushville.[3] The Chadron Commercial Club was one of the main entities pushing for the school to be located in Chadron.[4] While the school was originally meant to open Fall 1910, opposition from then-governor Ashton C. Shallenberger and the Alliance Commercial Club delayed its opening.[5] The college opened in 1911 as the Chadron State Normal College.[6]
In March 1921, the Nebraska State Legislature passed a bill making all state-funded normal schools colleges. This also gave the schools the legal right to grant a Bachelor of Arts degree. Following this, the college changed its name to the Chadron State Teachers College.[7] In 1964, the college re-branded to its current name, Chadron State College.[8] In September 1967, the college opened the High Rise Dormitory, an eleven story high-rise dorm complex. It opened as the tallest building in Western Nebraska.[9]
In July 2006, the college was in danger of damage from the Spotted Tail wildfire. Spotted Tail was caused by a lightning strike on July 26 about seven miles (11km) south of Chadron. By July 28, the wildfire reached the edge of Chadron and the college campus. Fire crews prevented the wildfire from reaching the campus. The Pine Ridge escarpment south of the college, including C-Hill, was deforested as a result of the fire.[10]
Chadron State College's campus is located in Chadron, Nebraska, United States. The campus is 281-acre (114ha) and has 25 major buildings. The campus includes eight academic buildings, six athletic buildings, three administration buildings, and five residential buildings.[14] The campus includes High Rise, an eleven story high-rise building which is the tallest building in Western Nebraska.[9] Five of the buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. NRHP-listed buildings include the Sparks, Miller, Edna Work, and Crites Halls, and the Media Center, which were all listed in 1983.[15]
Chadron State College is a state-funded college. As of 2025, 1,600 students are enrolled. The college includes 23 undergraduate fields of study. Major fields of study include Business Administration, Teachers Degree and Professional Development, Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Plant Sciences, and Criminal Justice and Corrections. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission with some programs and academic units also accredited by discipline-specific organizations.[17]
It offers more than 49 majors leading to bachelor's degrees and 8 professional studies options. Pre-professional programs in the health sciences are available, including the Rural Health Opportunities Program (RHOP) conducted jointly with the University of Nebraska Medical Center.[18] Chadron State College also includes a partnership with Western Nebraska Community College in Scottsbluff through the Panhandle Advantage Program.[19]
Chadron State College, whose athletic teams are known as the Eagles, competes in the National Collegiate Athletic AssociationDivision II. Chadron State sponsors 12 varsity athletic teams: men's and women's basketball; men's and women's cross country; football; women's golf; softball; men's and women's track and field; women's volleyball; and men's and women's wrestling.[20]
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