Information Sciencesat California State University-Chico
Graduates earn $49,967/yr in their first year — about 20.0% below the national Information Sciences average. Base-case 10-year earnings $918K; scenarios range from $708K to $956K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Chico State
First-year earnings of $49,967 place California State University-Chico below the $62,617 national median for Information Sciences — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.
The 28.5x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.
AI risk is moderate — 69% task exposure — and the 26% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.
With first-year pay of $49,967 far exceeding the $18,972 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.
Ranked #151 out of 443 programs, California State University-Chico's Information Sciences offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.
Earnings growth from $49,967 to $90,685 over five years (81% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.
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 Information Sciences
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 Information Sciences offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Information Sciences trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Information Sciences at Chico State
How does California State University-Chico's Information Sciences program score?
A score of 81/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. California State University-Chico's Information Sciences graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
How vulnerable is Information Sciences to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Information Sciences careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 69% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why are Information Sciences earnings lower at California State University-Chico?
Lower starting pay at California State University-Chico may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.