California State University-Chico
California State University-Chico — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
California State University-Chico at a Glance
California State University, Chico is a public university in Chico, California, United States. It was founded in 1887 as one of about 180 "normal schools" founded by state governments in the 19th century to train teachers for the rapidly growing public common schools. Some closed but most steadily expanded their role and became state colleges in the early 20th century and state universities in the late 20th century. It is the second oldest campus in the California State University system. As of …
1887
139 years old
$98M
$97.9 million (2024)
14,581
13,392 undergrad · 1,189 grad
848
119 acres
Identity
Is California State University-Chico Worth It?
California State University-Chico delivers solid financial returns for its graduates. At $14,480/year, it's priced 29% below average, while graduates go on to earn $64,172 — 19% above the national average.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.9 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 63% graduation rate means roughly 37% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
With a 93% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
Bottom line: California State University-Chico delivers strong financial returns that justify the investment for most students.
How California State University-Chico compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in CA
Ranked #18 of 107 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | California State University-Bakersfield | 100 | $5,652 | $59,009 |
| #2 | California State University-Stanislaus | 100 | $6,067 | $63,188 |
| #3 | California State University-San Bernardino | 100 | $4,564 | $59,977 |
| #4 | California State University-Fresno | 100 | $7,000 | $61,244 |
| #5 | California State University-Los Angeles | 100 | $3,967 | $59,211 |
| #6 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #18 | California State University-Chico | 70 | $14,480 | $64,172 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of California State University-Chico's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 13 in CA.
Best Programs at California State University-Chico
The highest-earning program at California State University-Chico is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $93,500/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is English Language and Literature, General at $19,200/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from California State University-Chico earns $93,500, while a English Language and Literature, General graduate earns $19,200. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $18,700 in median debt vs. $14,830 for English Language and Literature, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $14,480/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $93,500 | $93,500 | $18,700 |
| Construction Management | $78,300 | $78,300 | $20,500 |
| Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $70,900 | $70,900 | $24,166 |
| Computer Science | $69,500 | $69,500 | $18,500 |
| Civil Engineering | $64,900 | $64,900 | $12,659 |
| Engineering, Other | $64,500 | $64,500 | $27,379 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $61,700 | $61,700 | $20,500 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $55,400 | $55,400 | $17,168 |
| Engineering-Related Fields | $51,900 | $51,900 | $17,870 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $46,400 | $46,400 | $18,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $45,300 | $45,300 | $17,000 |
| Agricultural Business and Management | $44,600 | $44,600 | $15,000 |
| Plant Sciences | $42,700 | $42,700 | $12,940 |
| Economics | $40,300 | $40,300 | $13,000 |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies | $35,300 | $35,300 | $17,725 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $33,800 | $33,800 | $16,375 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $31,300 | $31,300 | $19,679 |
| Social Sciences, General | $30,200 | $30,200 | $16,138 |
| Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services | $30,000 | $30,000 | $16,268 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $29,700 | $29,700 | $20,650 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $29,700 | $29,700 | $15,000 |
| Political Science and Government | $29,100 | $29,100 | $18,117 |
| Journalism | $28,800 | $28,800 | $19,676 |
| Sociology | $27,800 | $27,800 | $16,500 |
| Biology, General | $27,400 | $27,400 | $17,649 |
| Psychology, General | $27,000 | $27,000 | $15,000 |
| History | $27,000 | $27,000 | $14,000 |
| Social Work | $26,700 | $26,700 | $16,500 |
| Animal Sciences | $26,400 | $26,400 | $17,500 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $26,400 | $26,400 | $20,490 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $26,300 | $26,300 | $19,000 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $25,800 | $25,800 | $18,000 |
| Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences | $25,500 | $25,500 | $17,500 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $24,600 | $24,600 | $16,842 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $22,600 | $22,600 | $16,497 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $22,300 | $22,300 | $17,100 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $22,000 | $22,000 | $16,500 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $21,800 | $21,800 | $17,200 |
| Anthropology | $20,000 | $20,000 | $15,000 |
| Area Studies | $19,700 | $19,700 | $17,850 |
| Music | $19,500 | $19,500 | $21,200 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $19,200 | $19,200 | $14,830 |
Similar Colleges in CA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Chico, CA
- Student Body
- 13,631 students
- Admission Rate
- 93%
- Graduation Rate
- 63%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $14,480
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $64,172
- Median Student Debt
- $16,552