Chico, CA · Private University
Is California State University-Chico Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$64,172
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$8,064
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$19,944
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$79,776
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
3.22x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
2.7 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
63.6%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$16,552
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$14,838
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
California State University-Chico graduates earn $19,172 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at California State University-Chico ranked by graduate earnings
155 graduates
60 graduates
57 graduates
79 graduates
43 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at California State University-Chico
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At California State University-Chico, the gap between the highest-earning major (Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing: $108,170) and the lowest (Nutrition Sciences: $25,490) is $82,680/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingBest ROI | $108,170 | 5.4x |
| Computer Science | $108,095 | 5.4x |
| Construction Management | $102,776 | 5.2x |
| Civil Engineering | $93,131 | 4.7x |
| Engineering, Other | $90,091 | 4.5x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $89,685 | 4.5x |
| Construction Engineering Technologies(1yr data) | $88,648 | 4.4x |
| Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $86,447 | 4.3x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $82,347 | 4.1x |
| Engineering-Related Fields | $79,708 | 4.0x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $68,145 | 3.4x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $65,614 | 3.3x |
| Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services | $61,970 | 3.1x |
| Agricultural Business and Management | $61,609 | 3.1x |
| Plant Sciences | $61,533 | 3.1x |
| Economics | $59,360 | 3.0x |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $58,284 | 2.9x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $55,723 | 2.8x |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies | $54,762 | 2.8x |
| Mathematics | $53,411 | 2.7x |
| Political Science and Government | $53,079 | 2.7x |
| Microbiological Sciences and Immunology | $50,964 | 2.6x |
| Geography and Cartography | $50,787 | 2.5x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $50,506 | 2.5x |
| Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences | $50,165 | 2.5x |
| Biology, General | $49,394 | 2.5x |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $48,654 | 2.4x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $48,414 | 2.4x |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $48,307 | 2.4x |
| Social Work | $47,270 | 2.4x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $46,076 | 2.3x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $45,654 | 2.3x |
| Public Health(1yr data) | $45,339 | 2.3x |
| Animal Sciences | $44,947 | 2.3x |
| History | $44,604 | 2.2x |
| Sociology | $44,527 | 2.2x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $43,310 | 2.2x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $43,104 | 2.2x |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology(1yr data) | $42,886 | 2.1x |
| Journalism | $42,869 | 2.1x |
| Area Studies | $42,575 | 2.1x |
| Social Sciences, General | $42,136 | 2.1x |
| Psychology, General | $41,639 | 2.1x |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $38,502 | 1.9x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $38,319 | 1.9x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $37,683 | 1.9x |
| Design and Applied Arts | $37,032 | 1.9x |
| Music | $30,062 | 1.5x |
| Anthropology | $28,231 | 1.4x |
| Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies(1yr data) | $25,525 | 1.3x |
| Nutrition SciencesLowest(1yr data) | $25,490 | 1.3x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
California State University-Chico stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $64,172 10 years after starting, $19,172 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 2.7 years, faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.