California State University-Chico combines open admission with top-tier mobility outcomes. As a Mobility Engine institution, the university produces substantial earnings beyond expectations while maintaining debt levels below peer institutions, demonstrating exceptional value for students from diverse economic backgrounds seeking economic advancement.
With above average outcomes, supported by strong long-term earnings relative to educational investment
With well above average performance, driven by controlled net costs and manageable debt levels
With top-tier performance, indicating exceptional ability to convert educational access into economic advancement
With top-tier performance, indicating exceptional ability to convert educational access into economic advancement
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Mobility Engine: strong access with outcomes
California State University-Chico ranks #110 nationally in Azimuth's composite analysis, achieving top-tier mobility performance at the 95.2nd percentile. Located in Chico, California, this large public institution maintains open admission with a 93.7% acceptance rate while delivering exceptional economic mobility outcomes.
California State University-Chico enrolls 40.1% Pell-eligible students and 47.3% first-generation students, demonstrating strong access for underrepresented populations. Graduates earn $9,052 beyond expectations relative to similar students, ranking at the 83.9th percentile nationally.
Median earnings reach $64,172 ten years after enrollment, placing California State University-Chico in the 79th percentile for long-term earnings. As a Mobility Engine institution, California State University-Chico combines broad educational access with strong post-graduation outcomes, serving students who might otherwise lack opportunity for degree attainment while delivering meaningful economic advancement.
California State University-Chico demonstrates strong value through earnings outcomes that exceed expectations given student demographics and institutional characteristics. Graduates earn a median of $64,172 ten years after enrollment, ranking in the 79th percentile nationally.
Earnings range from $41,693 at the 25th percentile to $95,212 at the 75th percentile, reflecting diverse career trajectories across academic programs. The institution generates $9,052 in earnings beyond expectations, placing it in the 83.9th percentile nationally on this critical measure of institutional effectiveness.
Students seeking strong economic mobility outcomes at an accessible public institution. Well-suited for first-generation students (47.3%) and Pell-eligible students (40.1%) who value open admission with demonstrated earnings uplift.
California State University-Chico's Mobility Engine designation reflects strong outcomes for students from diverse economic backgrounds.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
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This is the California State University-Chico hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/california-state-university-chico/analysis.
California State University-Chico admits 93.7% of applicants, making admission accessible to most qualified students. This open access approach means roughly 9 in 10 applicants receive offers of admission, positioning California State University-Chico among institutions prioritizing broad educational opportunity rather than selective enrollment.
The peer median admission rate of 78.1% indicates California State University-Chico admits students at higher rates than typical four-year institutions, reflecting the university's mission to serve diverse student populations. This level of accessibility means students with varied academic backgrounds can gain admission, though success depends on academic preparation and program fit.
The institution's open access approach enables meaningful opportunity for first-generation and underrepresented students who might face barriers at more selective institutions. Students should view California State University-Chico as an accessible option while focusing on program quality and post-graduation outcomes rather than admission difficulty.
For most academically prepared students, gaining admission represents a realistic outcome, allowing focus on academic fit and career alignment rather than admission uncertainty.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
California State University-Chico's published cost of attendance totals $25,590 annually, including $8,064 in-state tuition, $19,944 out-of-state tuition, $16,020 for room and board, and $1,052 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays significantly less due to financial aid, with net price averaging $14,838 after aid is applied.
Financial aid provides average savings of $10,752 per student, reducing the sticker price burden substantially. Compared to a peer median net price of $15,590, California State University-Chico offers competitive value that is $752 below typical costs at similar institutions.
The difference between published cost and actual net price demonstrates the institution's commitment to affordability through need-based aid distribution. California residents benefit from substantially lower published tuition compared to out-of-state students, though aid calculations help make attendance accessible across income levels.
This cost structure reflects California State University-Chico's public mission to provide quality education at manageable prices while leveraging financial aid to support students from diverse economic backgrounds. Students should focus on net price calculations rather than sticker prices when evaluating affordability.
California State University-Chico graduates demonstrate consistent earnings growth across their early career trajectory. Median earnings increase from $50,493 six years after enrollment to $58,630 at eight years and $64,172 at ten years, representing substantial 27.1% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes reflect a ten-year cohort of 4,246 graduates, providing high confidence in the reported figures and indicating broad-based success across academic programs. Graduates earn $9,052 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing California State University-Chico in the 83.9th percentile for earnings uplift.
This value-added performance demonstrates the institution's effectiveness in translating educational access into economic mobility. Low-income graduates earn $52,800, reflecting strong outcomes for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Earnings span from $41,693 at the 25th percentile to $95,212 at the 75th percentile, showing meaningful variation based on program choice and career path. Approximately 24.7% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of Utah Similar quality tier in West (#107 ranked) | UT | 87% | $67,170 | #107 | Compare |
Wayne State University Similar quality tier (#111 ranked) | MI | 82% | $53,493 | #111 | Compare |
University Of Connecticut Similar quality tier (#112 ranked) | CT | 54% | $73,997 | #112 | Compare |
University At Albany Similar quality tier (#105 ranked) | NY | 70% | $67,979 | #105 | Compare |
University Of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez Similar quality tier (#103 ranked) | PR | 52% | $48,992 | #103 | Compare |
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing.
117 graduates
Computer Science.
61 graduates
Computer Engineering, General.
7 graduates
Civil Engineering, General.
57 graduates
Engineering, Other.
34 graduates
California State University-Chico offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for comprehensive outcome tracking. Adult Health Nurse/Nursing ranks #24 nationally and #14 in California, producing 117 graduates with exceptional median earnings of $108,170 and a value score of 91.6.
Construction Engineering Technology ranks #6 nationally and #2 in California, graduating 115 students with median earnings of $88,648. Business Administration and Management, the institution's flagship program with 648 graduates, ranks #80 nationally and #18 in California with median earnings of $65,614.
Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies ranks #2 nationally and #2 in California, demonstrating exceptional performance in this specialized field. General Studies ranks #35 nationally and #12 in California, reflecting strong outcomes for students pursuing interdisciplinary education.
These rankings demonstrate California State University-Chico's strength across diverse academic areas, from technical fields to liberal arts programs.
