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Return on Investment Analysis

California State University-Chico ROI Analysis

Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.

Quick answer

USACollegeData.com ROI analysis (College Scorecard data): four years at California State University-Chico costs about $32,256 in in-state tuition, and graduates earn a median of $50,493 five years after graduation — the investment breaks even in roughly 2.1 years (20-year ROI: 861%).

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 4yr Cost Median Earnings (5yr) Est. 20yr ROI
Business Administration, Management and Operations $32,256 $67,182 1895%
Psychology, General $32,256 $63,332 1657%
Health and Physical Education/Fitness $32,256 $51,424 918%
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities $32,256 $45,654 561%
Criminal Justice and Corrections $32,256 $50,506 861%
Sociology $32,256 $44,527 491%
Communication and Media Studies $32,256 $48,414 732%
Design and Applied Arts $32,256 $37,032 26%
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing $32,256 $108,170 4437%
Social Work $32,256 $65,727 1805%
Construction Engineering Technologies $32,256 $0 N/A
Mechanical Engineering $32,256 $89,685 3291%
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General $32,256 $48,307 725%
Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies $32,256 $54,762 1125%
Computer and Information Sciences, General $32,256 $82,347 2836%
Political Science and Government $32,256 $53,079 1021%
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services $32,256 $72,146 2203%
Biology, General $32,256 $49,394 792%
Nutrition Sciences $32,256 $0 N/A
English Language and Literature, General $32,256 $43,104 402%
Animal Sciences $32,256 $44,947 517%
History $32,256 $44,604 495%
Agricultural Business and Management $32,256 $61,609 1550%
Journalism $32,256 $42,869 388%

Peer Comparison

California State University-Chico Current

861%

20yr ROI

CUNY Hunter College

944%

20yr ROI

University of Michigan-Dearborn

415%

20yr ROI

Illinois State University

387%

20yr ROI

Texas A&M University-Central Texas

1061%

20yr ROI

Financial Aid Impact

Before Aid

4-Year Tuition$32,256
Median Debt$16,552

After Aid (Estimated)

Estimated Total Aid$0
Net 4-Year Cost$32,256

Frequently Asked Questions

Based on government data, California State University-Chico has an estimated 20-year ROI of 861%. The total 4-year cost is $32,256 and graduates earn a median of $50,493 within 5 years.

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.

Back to California State University-Chico Colleges in California Compare Schools ROI Rankings