Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration at California State University-Chico

Chico, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
91 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
91
Optimistic
91
Base Case
88
Pessimistic
Earnings $113,181/yr (50% vs median)
AI Risk High (39% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)
ROI 34.6x earnings multiple (14.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #3 of 990 Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration programs Top 1%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $1,122K $1,117K $937K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 34.8x 34.6x 29.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 14.1x 14.0x 11.7x
Probability of Field Employment 87% 86% 64%
DegreeOutlook Score 91 91 88

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 (14.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$59,352
-84% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,500
1.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$120,599
7% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $113,181 per year, Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration graduates from California State University-Chico significantly outpace the $75,273 national average for this major, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

The 34.6x 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 — 39% task exposure — and the 16% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The median debt load of $16,500 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

A #3 ranking out of 990 programs puts California State University-Chico in the top 1% for Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration. By our composite measure, very few programs deliver stronger results.

Earnings growth is modest: $113,181 to $120,599 over five years (7% gain). This field may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

About California State University-Chico

With 94% of applicants admitted, California State University-Chico prioritizes broad access, serving 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

Nurse anesthetists $223,210/yr
Nurse practitioners $129,210/yr
Nurse midwives $128,790/yr
View all 6 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration at Other Schools

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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 Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration program score?
A score of 91/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. California State University-Chico's Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
How vulnerable is Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 39% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why does California State University-Chico rank so high for Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration?
The #3 ranking out of 990 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →