The 1961 Chico State Wildcats football team represented Chico State College—now known as California State University, Chico—as a member of the Far Western Conference (FWC) during the 1961 college football season. Led by fourth-year head coach George Maderos, Chico State compiled an overall record of 4–6 with a mark of 0–5 in conference play, placing last out of six teams in the FWC. The team was outscored by its opponents 233 to 162 for the season. The Wildcats played home games at College Field in Chico, California.