California State University-Chico ROI Analysis
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$32,256
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$15,493/yr
above high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
2.1 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
861%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
One year after graduation, the median earnings for California State University-Chico graduates are $42,772. The annual tuition cost for in-state students is $8,064. The median debt for graduates is $16,552.
Five years after graduation, the median earnings increase to $50,493. Ten years after graduation, median earnings reach $64,172. The school's graduation rate is 63.9%, and the retention rate is 83.7%.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$8,064
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,552
Median Earnings (5yr)
$50,493
Graduation Rate
64%
Receive Financial Aid
33%
Avg Aid Amount
N/A
Program-Level ROI
| Program | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $67,182 | 1895% |
| Psychology, General | $63,332 | 1657% |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $51,424 | 918% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $45,654 | 561% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $50,506 | 861% |
| Sociology | $44,527 | 491% |
| Communication and Media Studies | $48,414 | 732% |
| Design and Applied Arts | $37,032 | 26% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $108,170 | 4437% |
| Social Work | $65,727 | 1805% |
| Construction Engineering Technologies | $0 | N/A |
| Mechanical Engineering | $89,685 | 3291% |
Peer Comparison
861%
20yr ROI
944%
20yr ROI
415%
20yr ROI
387%
20yr ROI
1061%
20yr ROI
Financial Aid Impact
Before Aid
After Aid (Estimated)
Frequently Asked Questions
Methodology
ROI calculations are based on data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. The earnings premium is calculated as the difference between median graduate earnings and the national average earnings for high school diploma holders ($35,000).
The 20-year ROI formula: ((Earnings Premium x 20) - Total Cost) / Total Cost x 100. Break-even point: Total Cost / Annual Earnings Premium. All figures use in-state tuition and do not account for inflation, opportunity cost, or financial aid variations.