Chadron State College was founded in 1909 by the Nebraska Legislature to provide a higher education institution in northwest Nebraska. The Board of Education of State Normal Schools selected Chadron as the location of its fourth institution in January, 1910. The school opened in June, 1911. Chadron State College is the only four-year and graduate-degree granting college in western Nebraska, and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and subject-oriented accrediting agencies. The college has an enrollment of about 3,000 students. Five of its 25 major buildings are listed in the National Register of Historic Places.