Business Administrationat California State University-Chico
Graduates earn $46,145/yr in their first year — about 2.0% below the national Business Administration average. Base-case 10-year earnings $675K; scenarios range from $595K to $692K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Chico State
Graduates earn $46,145/yr, roughly in line with the $46,892 national median for Business Administration. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.
With a 20.9x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.
The 14% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Business Administration career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.
With first-year pay of $46,145 far exceeding the $16,750 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.
California State University-Chico ranks #61 among 1,169 Business Administration programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.
The $46,145-to-$79,303 earnings arc over five years reflects a 72% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Chico State's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Business Administration
How Chico State stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Chico State
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Chico State, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Business Administration offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Business Administration trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Business Administration at Chico State
What does a 76/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Business Administration at California State University-Chico?
At 76/100, this is a high-performing program. The DegreeOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
Should I worry about AI if I study Business Administration at California State University-Chico?
The 47% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Is California State University-Chico one of the best schools for Business Administration?
Among 1,169 Business Administration programs, California State University-Chico's #61 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.