Civil Engineeringat California State University-Chico
Graduates earn $72,350/yr in their first year — about 5.0% above the national Civil Engineering average. Base-case 10-year earnings $942K; scenarios range from $805K to $996K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Chico State
California's vast infrastructure demands mean a robust job market for civil engineers, and CSU Chico's program effectively prepares graduates to meet that need. Your strong financial outcomes reflect the program's practical, hands-on approach, which is highly valued by state agencies like Caltrans, numerous local municipalities, and private consulting firms across Northern California. You'll enter a career designing and managing essential projects—roads, bridges, water systems, and environmental solutions—directly impacting the state's growth and development. While AI tools are evolving rapidly, focusing on advanced project management, complex problem-solving, and interdisciplinary collaboration will make you indispensable. Seek out internships early to connect with regional employers and build that crucial practical experience.
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 Civil Engineering
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.
Frequently asked about Civil Engineering at Chico State
How does California State University-Chico's Civil Engineering program score?
A score of 76/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. California State University-Chico's Civil Engineering graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
How vulnerable is Civil Engineering to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Civil Engineering careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 49% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why does California State University-Chico rank so high for Civil Engineering?
The #6 ranking out of 220 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.