Biology at California State University-Chico
Chico, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Biology, General
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)
How AI Changes the Outlook
Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Biology 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)
Median Debt at Graduation
$17,600
5.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$61,481
66% growth from Year 1
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
Compare & Explore
Biology at Other Schools
Other Majors at California State University-Chico
Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?
For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Biology 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 field.
Will AI replace Biology 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 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 →