Two ratings: the overall grade compares colleges the conventional way (outcomes, cost, resources, experience, reputation). The Outcome Rating asks what students earn: 60% wage-adjusted earnings 10 years after enrolling, 25% graduation, 15% retention. Methodology
Quick Stats
Earnings, Debt & Completion
What happens to students who enroll at California State University-Chico, from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
Typical debt at graduation equals about 26% of one year’s median earnings ten years after entry.
Earnings rank: 61st percentile among bachelor’s-degree-focused colleges after a partial adjustment for local wage levels (CA wage index 1.21). This drives the Outcome Rating.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, retrieved Oct 2026. Earnings are for federally aided students who enrolled, whether or not they graduated.
Earnings by Major at California State University-Chico
Median pay of bachelor's degree graduates by field of study, and how each program ranks against every college reporting that major — by raw pay and adjusted for state wage levels. Same school, very different paychecks.
| Major | 1 yr after | 4 yrs after | vs. national | Rank (pay) | Rank (wage-adj.) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $81,021 | $127,498 | +19% | #56 of 349 | #87 | $20,000 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $113,181 | $117,543 | +32% | #33 of 966 | #62 | $16,500 |
| Construction Management | $89,075 | $108,021 | +14% | #4 of 57 | #23 | $19,341 |
| Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians | $77,965 | $106,225 | +26% | #3 of 46 | #8 | $18,822 |
| Engineering | $74,204 | $103,272 | +10% | #5 of 19 | #10 | $22,500 |
| Computer Engineering | — | $97,345 | -11% | #137 of 189 | #167 | — |
| Mechanical Engineering | $73,297 | $93,555 | +2% | #118 of 318 | #271 | $22,353 |
| Civil Engineering | $72,350 | $92,472 | +7% | #35 of 233 | #148 | $21,125 |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $49,967 | $91,059 | -1% | #186 of 459 | #279 | $18,972 |
| Construction Engineering Technology/Technician | $88,648 | — | — | — | — | $20,761 |
| Engineering-Related Fields | $69,042 | $86,430 | -4% | #23 of 33 | #31 | $17,500 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $60,606 | $85,612 | +12% | #170 of 796 | #332 | $16,875 |
| Mathematics | $38,212 | $77,891 | +12% | #94 of 309 | #153 | $16,500 |
| Microbiological Sciences and Immunology | $49,068 | $74,888 | +20% | #8 of 49 | #19 | $23,500 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $46,145 | $72,651 | +6% | #298 of 1176 | #582 | $16,750 |
| Biology | $37,120 | $71,726 | +25% | #75 of 841 | #186 | $17,600 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $33,758 | $69,531 | +26% | #19 of 265 | #35 | $20,500 |
| Geography and Cartography | $40,380 | $69,500 | +20% | #14 of 117 | #34 | — |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences | $40,057 | $69,303 | +13% | #35 of 156 | #59 | $19,331 |
| Plant Sciences | $43,944 | $68,629 | +21% | #5 of 44 | #12 | $13,826 |
| Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies | $25,525 | $67,921 | +58% | — | — | $15,375 |
| Economics | $37,432 | $67,675 | -18% | #299 of 368 | #329 | $18,300 |
| Agricultural Business and Management | $47,937 | $65,198 | -2% | #44 of 77 | #56 | $11,250 |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology | — | $64,274 | +32% | #3 of 62 | #4 | — |
| Journalism | $35,668 | $63,358 | +13% | #25 of 187 | #66 | $18,618 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $29,297 | $62,855 | +7% | #55 of 215 | #153 | $16,148 |
| Agriculture | — | $61,369 | +14% | #7 of 43 | #21 | $14,750 |
| Political Science and Government | $41,893 | $61,293 | -3% | #298 of 565 | #422 | $20,000 |
| Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences | $25,952 | $61,230 | -2% | #29 of 64 | #47 | $18,750 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | $42,886 | $60,367 | -8% | #84 of 110 | #93 | $22,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $24,427 | $60,296 | +17% | #44 of 345 | #122 | $22,358 |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies | $33,920 | $59,765 | +17% | #7 of 63 | #17 | $17,886 |
| Nutrition Sciences | $25,490 | $59,146 | -2% | #31 of 53 | #45 | $17,272 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $36,045 | $58,464 | +6% | #189 of 660 | #427 | $15,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $38,421 | $58,391 | +4% | #206 of 660 | #368 | $16,125 |
| Social Work | $36,840 | $57,146 | +10% | #89 of 420 | #263 | $15,829 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $22,917 | $56,144 | +2% | #112 of 225 | #167 | $17,200 |
| Natural Sciences | — | $55,102 | -5% | #6 of 9 | #7 | — |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $27,196 | $55,008 | +4% | #176 of 476 | #318 | $15,688 |
| Public Administration | — | $54,714 | -16% | #40 of 47 | #46 | — |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | $28,236 | $52,978 | -3% | #320 of 610 | #495 | $20,500 |
| Psychology | $31,827 | $52,621 | +4% | #372 of 1027 | #681 | $15,000 |
| Sociology | $36,992 | $52,323 | -1% | #225 of 462 | #347 | $14,000 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $39,060 | $52,150 | -22% | #103 of 118 | #110 | $15,000 |
| Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services | $31,673 | $51,491 | -6% | #37 of 50 | #46 | $17,375 |
| Social Sciences | $36,382 | $50,845 | -5% | #51 of 87 | #71 | $13,987 |
| History | $30,697 | $49,351 | -3% | #269 of 459 | #385 | $16,838 |
| English Language and Literature | $27,045 | $49,189 | +1% | #272 of 576 | #420 | $15,000 |
| Animal Sciences | $33,387 | $48,474 | -2% | #43 of 78 | #62 | $17,606 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $22,628 | $45,468 | +10% | #112 of 423 | #221 | $14,990 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study data. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working; small programs are not reported.
The California State University-Chico Town Property Report
- Top nearby ZIP by cap rate: 95969 (3.3% cap, Paradise)
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🏆 Where California State University-Chico Ranks
Rankings based on Repit College Grade among schools offering each program.
Costs & Financial Aid
Tuition & Fees
| Category | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $5,742 | $17,622 |
| Room | $8,609 | |
| Board | $3,881 | |
| Total Cost (On-Campus) | $28,030 | $39,910 |
Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
| Family Income | Average Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $10,045 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $10,612 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $13,937 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $18,380 |
| $110,001+ | $23,572 |
Programs & Career Paths
Top Degree Programs
Programs ranked by number of degrees awarded annually.
Related Career Paths
Careers that graduates from California State University-Chico's top programs commonly pursue.
Student Demographics
👥 Race & Ethnicity
🏠 Living Arrangements
💻 Learning Mode
📊 Age Distribution
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at California State University-Chico?
How much does it cost to attend California State University-Chico?
What is the graduation rate at California State University-Chico?
Is California State University-Chico a good school?
- Outcomes (B+): Graduation and retention rates
- Affordability (C+): Net cost and financial aid access
- Resources (C): Class sizes and selectivity
- Experience (B+): Campus life and learning format
- Prestige (C): Reputation and recognition
How many students attend California State University-Chico?
Is there rental demand near California State University-Chico?
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🎓 Similar Colleges to California State University-Chico
Compare with other 4-Year public institutions of similar size.
Data source: IPEDS 2023-24 | Last updated: October 2026 | Methodology