Graduate earnings are in line with similar institutions.
What graduates earn 10 years after enrollment.
Annual salary at 10 years
Lower quartile earnings
Upper quartile earnings
How graduate earnings grow in the decade after enrollment.
California State University-Chico graduates demonstrate steady earnings progression throughout their early career development. 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 between the six and ten-year measurement points.
How outcomes compare to similar institutions.
Graduate earnings align with peer institutions — outcomes are in line with similar schools.
Financial justification for the investment.
Excellent affordability. Median debt of $16,552 is well under annual earnings, enabling comfortable repayment.
California State University-Chico graduates maintain manageable debt levels that support long-term financial stability. Median student debt of $16,552 falls significantly below the peer median of $20,000, representing $3,448 less borrowing than typical graduates from similar institutions.
California State University-Chico ranks in the 72.9th percentile for return on investment, indicating above average performance in converting educational investment into long-term economic value. Graduates earn $9,052 beyond expectations relative to similar students, placing the institution in the 83.9th percentile nationally for this critical measure of effectiveness.
Approximately 24.7% of California State University-Chico graduates continue to graduate or professional school, based on high-confidence program mix a...
Program mix explains much of the earnings story.
High-earning programs drive California State University-Chico's strong return performance, led by Adult Health Nurse/Nursing graduates earning $108,170 annually. Mechanical Engineering produces graduates earning $89,685, while Construction Engineering Technology generates $88,648 in median earnings.
Artificial Intelligence graduates earn $82,347, reflecting growing demand in technology fields. Business Administration, the institution's largest program with 648 graduates, provides solid middle-tier earnings at $65,614.
See which programs drive the strongest earnings and career trajectories
Earnings variation at California State University-Chico reflects diverse program options and career pathways available to graduates. The distribution spans from $41,693 at the 25th percentile to $95,212 at the 75th percentile, demonstrating substantial mobility potential for students pursuing higher-earning fields.
