Biology, General at California State University-Chico

Chico, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
53 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
54
Optimistic
53
Base Case
52
Pessimistic
Earnings $37,120/yr (15% vs median)
AI Risk High (40% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (113,000 openings/yr)
ROI 18.2x earnings multiple (7.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #40 of 822 Biology, General programs Top 5%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Biology, General graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $593K $586K $536K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 18.4x 18.2x 16.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.4x 7.3x 6.7x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 45% 35%
DegreeOutlook Score 54 53 52

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
$17,600
5.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$61,481
66% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $37,120/yr, edging above the $32,219 national average for Biology, General — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 18.2x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Biology, General programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Biology, General's typical career paths, with 40% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 10% gap from the optimistic case.

At $17,600 in median debt against $37,120 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

At #40 of 822 nationally, this is a top-5% Biology, General program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $61,481 show a 66% jump from the $37,120 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About California State University-Chico

California State University-Chico has a 94% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, enrolling 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

Natural sciences managers $161,180/yr
Medical scientists, except epidemiologists $100,590/yr
Biological scientists, all other $93,330/yr
View all 10 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Biology, General at Other Schools

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Biology, General at California State University-Chico?
A score of 53/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Biology, General field.
Will AI replace Biology, General careers?
With 40% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $536,325 in decade earnings vs $593,035 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes California State University-Chico's Biology, General program stand out?
Ranked #40 of 822 programs nationally, California State University-Chico lands in the top 5%. 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 →