Construction Management at California State University-Chico

Chico, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
86 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
87
Optimistic
86
Base Case
83
Pessimistic
Earnings $89,075/yr (22% vs median)
AI Risk High (49% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (133,100 openings/yr)
ROI 32.5x earnings multiple (13.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #1 of 56 Construction Management programs Top 5%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Construction Management graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $1,095K $1,049K $868K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 34.0x 32.5x 26.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 13.7x 13.1x 10.9x
Probability of Field Employment 82% 75% 54%
DegreeOutlook Score 87 86 83

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 (13.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$59,352
-84% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,341
2.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$116,720
31% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $89,075/yr, edging above the $72,738 national average for Construction Management — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

The 32.5x 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 — 49% task exposure — and the 21% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

At $19,341 in median debt against $89,075 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

Ranked #1 out of 56 programs, California State University-Chico's Construction Management program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $89,075 to $116,720 shows 31% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About California State University-Chico

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

Construction managers $106,980/yr
Project management specialists $100,750/yr
Business teachers, postsecondary $97,270/yr
View all 3 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Construction Management at Other Schools

Other Majors at California State University-Chico

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does California State University-Chico's Construction Management program score?
A score of 86/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. California State University-Chico's Construction Management graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
How vulnerable is Construction Management to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Construction Management 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 Construction Management?
The #1 ranking out of 56 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →