California State University-Chico ★ Hidden gem
Chico, California · Public · 13,631 undergraduates
All 66 programs with reported earnings leave graduates out-earning a typical California high-school graduate (about $36,976/yr). Another 56 programs did not have enough data to judge.
What families actually pay
| Family income | Net price per year |
|---|---|
| Under $30k | $9,902 |
| $30k to $48k | $10,099 |
| $48k to $75k | $12,961 |
| $75k to $110k | $16,506 |
| $110k and up | $23,566 |
| All families (average) | $14,480 |
Net price is the yearly cost after grants and scholarships, by family income (College Scorecard). Credit: TuitionTracker.
Program earnings vs a high-school graduate
| Program | Credential | Median earnings | vs HS grad | Verdict | Median debt | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | Bachelor's Degree | $72,651 | +$35,675 | clears the bar | $16,750 | 0.5 yrs |
| Psychology, General | Bachelor's Degree | $52,621 | +$15,645 | clears the bar | $15,000 | 1 yr |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | Bachelor's Degree | $55,008 | +$18,032 | clears the bar | $15,688 | 0.9 yrs |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | Bachelor's Degree | $52,978 | +$16,002 | clears the bar | $20,500 | 1.3 yrs |
| Sociology | Bachelor's Degree | $52,323 | +$15,347 | clears the bar | $14,000 | 0.9 yrs |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | Bachelor's Degree | $58,464 | +$21,488 | clears the bar | $15,000 | 0.7 yrs |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | Bachelor's Degree | $117,543 | +$80,567 | clears the bar | $16,500 | 0.2 yrs |
| Public Health | Bachelor's Degree | $45,339 | +$8,363 | clears the bar | $20,500 | 2.5 yrs |
| Communication and Media Studies | Bachelor's Degree | $58,391 | +$21,415 | clears the bar | $16,125 | 0.8 yrs |
| Design and Applied Arts | Bachelor's Degree | $44,629 | +$7,653 | clears the bar | $18,227 | 2.4 yrs |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies | Bachelor's Degree | $59,765 | +$22,789 | clears the bar | $17,886 | 0.8 yrs |
| Construction Engineering Technology/Technician | Bachelor's Degree | $88,648 | +$51,672 | clears the bar | $20,761 | 0.4 yrs |
| Civil Engineering | Bachelor's Degree | $92,472 | +$55,496 | clears the bar | $21,125 | 0.4 yrs |
| Biology, General | Bachelor's Degree | $71,726 | +$34,750 | clears the bar | $17,600 | 0.5 yrs |
| Computer Science | Bachelor's Degree | $127,498 | +$90,522 | clears the bar | $20,000 | 0.2 yrs |
Showing the 15 largest programs by graduates. See all 66 on the full profile.
Access and outcomes: 42% of students receive Pell grants · 63% complete their program.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (release 2026-06-10). Earnings are median earnings of graduates measured up to four years after completing, compared to the state high-school-graduate earnings threshold. Figures describe past graduates and are never a promise. Method: methodology. Something look wrong? Report it.