Home › California State University-Chico › Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical Engineering at California State University-Chico

Chico, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $73,297/yr (4% vs median)

AI Risk Very High (53% exposed)

Job Market Large (58,100 openings/yr)

ROI 28.7x earnings multiple (11.6x out-of-state)

Ranked #6 of 320 Mechanical Engineering programs Top 5%

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$978K	$925K	$777K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	30.3x	28.7x	24.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	12.3x	11.6x	9.7x
Probability of Field Employment	80%	71%	50%
DegreeOutlook Score	77	76	73

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 (11.6x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$59,352

-84% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$22,353

3.7 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$102,703

40% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $73,297/yr, roughly in line with the $70,527 national median for Mechanical Engineering. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

With a 28.7x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 20% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Mechanical Engineering career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

With first-year pay of $73,297 far exceeding the $22,353 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

California State University-Chico ranks #6 among 320 Mechanical Engineering programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

A 40% earnings increase from $73,297 to $102,703 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

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

Aerospace engineers $134,830/yr

Engineering teachers, postsecondary $106,120/yr

View all 5 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Mechanical Engineering at Other Schools

Compare Mechanical Engineering

Other Majors at California State University-Chico

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 76/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Mechanical Engineering at California State University-Chico?

At 76/100, this is a high-performing program. The DegreeOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.

Should I worry about AI if I study Mechanical Engineering at California State University-Chico?

The 53% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.

Is California State University-Chico one of the best schools for Mechanical Engineering?

Among 320 Mechanical Engineering programs, California State University-Chico's #6 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.

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