Outcomes-based program rankings.
Program outcomes at California State University-Chico vary significantly by field of study, with earnings spanning from $37,032 in Commercial Photography to $108,170 in Adult Health Nurse/Nursing. The rankings below evaluate programs based on graduate earnings, debt levels, and return on investment rather than prestige or reputation.
Use this data to compare how different majors perform in the labor market and align program selection with career goals and financial expectations.
Analyzing 47 programs with available earnings data.
These highlights surface programs that stand out for exceptional national rankings, strong earnings outcomes, or substantial enrollment at California State University-Chico.
#25 nationally
$55K median earnings
This bar shows the range of median earnings across all majors at this school.
The tables below compare programs in each category by earnings, national rank, cohort size, and value scores.
These sections represent the complete set of ranked undergraduate programs at California State University-Chico.
Engineering programs deliver strong earnings outcomes with Construction Engineering Technology ranking #6 nationally at $88,648 annually and Mechanical Engineering producing graduates earning $89,685. Artificial Intelligence, a growing field, generates $82,347 in median earnings.
These technical programs consistently rank above average nationally and within California. Students pursuing engineering pathways can expect strong return on investment with excellent career prospects in high-demand technical fields requiring specialized expertise.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science. | #73 |
Program outcomes reflect labor market results measured through federal College Scorecard data tracking graduate earnings and debt levels. Different programs produce varying earnings based on industry demand, skill requirements, and career pathways rather than educational quality alone. Rankings compare programs nationally within each field, providing context for performance relative to the same major at other institutions. Cohort sizes indicate enrollment levels and statistical confidence, with larger cohorts providing more reliable outcome measures. Value scores combine earnings, debt, and completion rates to assess overall program return on investment. These data help students understand likely financial outcomes while recognizing that individual results depend on career choices, geographic location, and professional development beyond graduation.
Median earnings 10 years post-enrollment
Debt burden relative to earnings
Institutional contribution to outcomes
recent graduates
| $108,095★ |
| — |
| 61 |
| Computer Engineering, General.Small sample | — | $94,197 | — | 7 |
| Civil Engineering, General. | #9 | $93,131 | — | 57 |
| Engineering, Other. | #5 | $90,091 | — | 34 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | #39 | $89,685 | — | 102 |
| Construction Engineering Technology/Technician. | #6 | $88,648 | — | 115 |
| Artificial Intelligence. | #92 | $82,347 | — | 88 |
| Engineering Design. | #7 | $79,708 | — | 45 |
Business Administration and Management represents California State University-Chico's largest program with 648 graduates earning $65,614 annually, ranking #80 nationally and #18 in California. This flagship program combines substantial enrollment with solid earnings outcomes and strong value scores.
The program serves students seeking versatile business skills with broad career applications. Business programs provide reliable pathways to middle-management and entrepreneurial opportunities across diverse industries.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management, General. | #77 | $65,614 | $35,450 | 648 |
Health programs at California State University-Chico demonstrate exceptional performance with Adult Health Nurse/Nursing ranking #24 nationally and producing graduates earning $108,170. This program stands out as the highest-earning field at the institution with exceptional value scores.
Health Services programs also perform well with solid earnings and strong employment outcomes. These programs are best suited for students prioritizing high-earning healthcare careers with excellent job security and growth potential.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult Health Nurse/Nursing. | #25 | $108,170★ | — | 117 |
| Audiology/Audiologist and Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist. | #35 | $58,284 | — | 51 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General. | #34 | $48,307 | — | 90 |
| Behavioral Aspects of Health. | #55 | $45,339 | — | 59 |
Algebra and Number Theory. leads sciences & mathematics with 53K in median earnings.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Algebra and Number Theory. | #127 | $53,411★ | — | 34 |
| Immunology.Small sample | #26 | $50,964 | — | 17 |
| Biology, General. | #220 | $49,394 | — | 69 |
| Geochemistry and Petrology.Small sample | — | $42,774 | — | 6 |
| Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. | #120 | $25,194 | — | 22 |
Social Sciences programs show varied outcomes with American Government and Politics graduates earning $53,079 and Psychology graduates earning $41,639. Applied/Public Sociology provides moderate earnings at $44,527.
These programs often serve students interested in public service, social work, or graduate school preparation. Students should consider earnings potential alongside personal interests when pursuing social sciences pathways, particularly if immediate workforce entry is the primary goal.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Applied Economics. | #163 | $59,360★ | — | 33 |
| American Government and Politics (United States). | #101 | $53,079 | — | 81 |
| Geographic Information Science and Cartography. | #10 | $50,787 | — | 21 |
| International Relations and Affairs. | #60 | $48,654 | — | 33 |
| Public Administration, Other.Small sample | #29 | $48,377 | — | 13 |
| Forensic Social Work. | #48 | $47,270 | — | 74 |
| Applied/Public Sociology. | #109 | $44,527 | — | 144 |
| Research Methodology and Quantitative Methods. | #30 | $42,136 | — | 43 |
| Psychology, General. | #184 | $41,639 | — | 342 |
| Anthropology, General. | #128 | $28,231 | — | 47 |
Communication and Media Studies graduates earn $48,414 annually with 122 students in the program. These programs prepare students for media, journalism, public relations, and corporate communication roles.
While earnings are moderate, communication skills remain valuable across industries. Students should consider combining communication studies with specialized technical skills or business knowledge to enhance career prospects and earning potential.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Communication and Media Studies, Other. | #119 | $48,414★ | — | 122 |
| Broadcast Journalism. | #77 | $42,869 | — | 68 |
Arts programs include Commercial Photography, which produces graduates earning $37,032 annually with 124 students enrolled. While earnings are lower compared to technical fields, these programs serve students pursuing creative careers where passion and artistic development often outweigh purely financial considerations.
General Studies ranks #35 nationally with stronger earnings of $45,654, providing interdisciplinary education for students seeking flexible career pathways or preparing for graduate study.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catalan Language and Literature. | #88 | $46,076★ | — | 32 |
| General Studies. | #38 | $45,654 | — | 210 |
| American History (United States). | #109 | $44,604 | — | 68 |
| English Language and Literature, General. | #46 | $43,104 | — | 64 |
| Art History, Criticism and Conservation. | #121 | $37,683 | — | 45 |
| Commercial Photography. | #64 | $37,032 | — | 124 |
| Applied and Professional Ethics.Small sample | — | $30,771 | — | 9 |
| Brass Instruments. | #106 | $30,062 | — | 44 |
Agriculture programs demonstrate strong performance with Agribusiness ranking #15 nationally and producing graduates earning $61,609. General Agriculture ranks #7 nationally with earnings of $53,419, showing exceptional national standing.
These programs reflect California State University-Chico's regional agricultural focus and provide pathways to California's substantial agriculture industry. Students interested in sustainable agriculture, farm management, or agricultural technology will find specialized programs with strong industry connections.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agribusiness/Agricultural Business Operations. | #16 | $61,609★ | — | 71 |
| Agriculture, General. | #7 | $53,419 | — | 69 |
| Agricultural Animal Breeding. | #24 | $44,947 | — | 72 |
| Environmental Science. | #137 | $38,319 | — | 26 |
Corrections Administration. leads criminal justice with 51K in median earnings.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corrections Administration. | #39 | $50,506 | — | 173 |
Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies ranks #2 nationally, demonstrating exceptional performance with graduates earning $54,762. Exercise Science and Kinesiology serves 220 students with earnings of $43,310.
Corrections Administration produces strong outcomes at $50,506 with solid value scores. These specialized programs serve students with specific career interests in recreation management, criminal justice, or health promotion fields requiring targeted professional preparation.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies. | #2 | $54,762★ | — | 87 |
| Exercise Science and Kinesiology. | #108 | $43,310 | — | 220 |
| African Studies.Small sample | #43 | $42,575 | — | 17 |
| Nutrition Sciences. | #30 | $25,490 | — | 64 |
Resources, cohort size, and graduation rates
Trajectory from early to mid-career
Why rankings may differ by program: A university's nursing program and business program can have entirely different outcome profiles. Our methodology surfaces these differences so you can evaluate programs — not just institutions.
