Mathematics at California State University-Chico

Chico, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
54 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
55
Optimistic
54
Base Case
56
Pessimistic
Earnings $38,212/yr (-25% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (65% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (104,900 openings/yr)
ROI 19.6x earnings multiple (7.9x out-of-state)
Ranked #162 of 253 Mathematics programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $650K $632K $553K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 20.2x 19.6x 17.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.2x 7.9x 6.9x
Probability of Field Employment 73% 65% 40%
DegreeOutlook Score 55 54 56

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 (7.9x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$59,352
-84% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,500
5.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$62,551
64% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $38,212/yr fall 25% below the $50,797 national median for Mathematics. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

The 19.6x 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 — 65% task exposure — and the 15% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

At $16,500 in median debt against $38,212 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

At #162 out of 253 programs, California State University-Chico's financial outcomes for Mathematics trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $38,212 to $62,551 over five years (64% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About California State University-Chico

California State University-Chico has a 94% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with a mid-sized student body of 13,057 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

Natural sciences managers $161,180/yr
Mathematicians $121,680/yr
Data scientists $112,590/yr
View all 7 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Mathematics 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 Mathematics program score?
A score of 54/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but California State University-Chico trails the majority of Mathematics programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
How vulnerable is Mathematics to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Mathematics careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 65% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why are Mathematics earnings lower at California State University-Chico?
Lower starting pay at California State University-Chico may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →