Agricultural Business and Management at California State University-Chico

Chico, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
69 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
70
Optimistic
69
Base Case
62
Pessimistic
Earnings $47,937/yr (-0% vs median)
AI Risk High (48% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (398,100 openings/yr)
ROI 18.0x earnings multiple (7.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #13 of 77 Agricultural Business and Management programs Top 25%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Agricultural Business and Management graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $591K $581K $529K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 18.3x 18.0x 16.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.4x 7.3x 6.6x
Probability of Field Employment 41% 37% 28%
DegreeOutlook Score 70 69 62

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$32,256
Out-of-state: $79,776 (7.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$59,352
-84% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$11,250
2.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$67,962
42% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

California State University-Chico's Agricultural Business and Management program produces graduates earning $47,937/yr — within striking distance of the $48,075 national average for this field.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 18.0x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Agricultural Business and Management programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Agricultural Business and Management's typical career paths, with 48% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 11% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $11,250 in median debt clears quickly against $47,937 in annual earnings.

At #13 of 77 nationally, this is a top-5% Agricultural Business and Management program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $47,937 to $67,962 over five years — a 42% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About California State University-Chico

A 94% acceptance rate means California State University-Chico is accessible to most applicants, serving 13,057 students in Chico, CA. Pell Grant recipients make up 40% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at California State University-Chico →

Top Career Paths

Economics teachers, postsecondary $119,980/yr
Economists $115,440/yr
Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers $87,980/yr
View all 9 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Agricultural Business and Management at Other Schools

Other Majors at California State University-Chico

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Agricultural Business and Management at California State University-Chico?
A score of 69/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Agricultural Business and Management field.
Will AI replace Agricultural Business and Management careers?
With 48% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $528,829 in decade earnings vs $591,181 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes California State University-Chico's Agricultural Business and Management program stand out?
Ranked #13 of 77 programs nationally, California State University-Chico lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →