Engineering-Related Fields at California State University-Chico

Chico, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
74 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
74
Optimistic
74
Base Case
72
Pessimistic
Earnings $69,042/yr (-0% vs median)
AI Risk High (38% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (111,400 openings/yr)
ROI 23.1x earnings multiple (9.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #2 of 31 Engineering-Related Fields programs Top 10%

Program Analysis

The strong outcomes for Chico State's engineering-related programs reflect the CSU system's emphasis on practical, industry-aligned education. You're gaining skills directly applicable to regional manufacturing, agricultural technology, and general engineering roles throughout Northern California. While Chico isn't a major tech hub, its graduates frequently leverage strong alumni networks to find opportunities in the broader state economy, including Sacramento and even the Bay Area. Your career might involve hands-on project management, process optimization, or quality assurance across diverse sectors. Given the indicated AI risk for some tasks, proactively seeking internships and developing robust problem-solving and interpersonal skills will be crucial. These experiences, combined with the program's practical curriculum, will position you to adapt and lead in an evolving industry.

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Engineering-Related Fields graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $764K $744K $666K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 23.7x 23.1x 20.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 9.6x 9.3x 8.3x
Probability of Field Employment 55% 52% 41%
DegreeOutlook Score 74 74 72

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 (9.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$59,352
-84% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$17,500
3.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$92,561
34% growth from Year 1

About California State University-Chico

California State University-Chico accepts 94% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, 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

Architectural and engineering managers $167,740/yr
Industrial production managers $121,440/yr
Engineers, all other $117,750/yr
View all 10 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Engineering-Related Fields at Other Schools

Other Majors at California State University-Chico

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Engineering-Related Fields at California State University-Chico?
This program scores 74/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Engineering-Related Fields nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.
Will AI replace Engineering-Related Fields careers?
With 38% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $665,990 in decade earnings vs $763,502 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →