Program Analysis
Graduates earn $69,042/yr, roughly in line with the $69,301 national median for Engineering-Related Fields. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.
Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 23.1x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Engineering-Related Fields programs nationally.
Some AI exposure exists in Engineering-Related Fields's typical career paths, with 38% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 13% gap from the optimistic case.
With first-year pay of $69,042 far exceeding the $17,500 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.
Ranked #2 of 31 programs, California State University-Chico's Engineering-Related Fields program falls in the top 10%, outperforming most peers on financial outcomes.
Earnings grow from $69,042 to $92,561 over five years — a 34% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.