Engineering-Related Fieldsat California State University-Chico
Graduates earn $69,042/yr in their first year — right at the national average. Base-case 10-year earnings $744K; scenarios range from $666K to $764K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Chico State
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.
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 Engineering-Related Fields
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 Engineering-Related Fields offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Engineering-Related Fields trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Engineering-Related Fields at Chico State
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.