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Liberal Arts and Sciences at California State University-Chico

Chico, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $27,196/yr (-27% vs median)

AI Risk Low (0% exposed)

Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)

ROI 18.0x earnings multiple (7.3x out-of-state)

Ranked #187 of 424 Liberal Arts and Sciences programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$579K	$579K	$555K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	18.0x	18.0x	17.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	7.3x	7.3x	7.0x
Probability of Field Employment	45%	45%	45%
DegreeOutlook Score	35	34	42

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 (7.3x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$59,352

-84% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$15,688

6.9 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$55,139

103% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

California State University-Chico's Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates start at $27,196/yr, trailing the $37,172 national average by 27%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

With a 18.0x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 4% spread between best and worst-case AI scenarios signals strong resilience. Most career paths mapped to Liberal Arts and Sciences involve work that current AI cannot replicate.

At $15,688 against $27,196/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #187 ranking among 424 Liberal Arts and Sciences programs places California State University-Chico in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The $27,196-to-$55,139 earnings arc over five years reflects a 103% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About California State University-Chico

A 94% acceptance rate means California State University-Chico is accessible to most applicants, 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

Postsecondary teachers, all other $78,490/yr

View all 1 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Liberal Arts and Sciences 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 does a 34/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Liberal Arts and Sciences at California State University-Chico?

At 34/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Liberal Arts and Sciences programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

Is California State University-Chico a good choice for Liberal Arts and Sciences despite lower starting pay?

Starting salary is one data point. If California State University-Chico's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →