Sociology at California State University-Chico
Chico, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
46
Optimistic
45
Base Case
43
Pessimistic
Earnings
$36,992/yr (8% vs median)
AI Risk
High (42% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (114,800 openings/yr)
ROI
15.3x earnings multiple (6.2x out-of-state)
How AI Changes the Outlook
Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Sociology graduates.
| Optimistic No Disruption |
Base Case Gradual AI |
Pessimistic Aggressive AI |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-Year Earnings | $492K | $492K | $463K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 15.3x | 15.3x | 14.3x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 6.2x | 6.2x | 5.8x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 48% | 44% | 34% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 46 | 45 | 43 |
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 (6.2x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$14,000
4.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$46,999
27% growth from Year 1
About California State University-Chico
California State University-Chico accepts 94% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, 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
Managers, all other
$136,550/yr
Sociologists
$101,690/yr
Sociology teachers, postsecondary
$82,540/yr
Compare & Explore
Sociology 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 is the DegreeOutlook Score for Sociology at California State University-Chico?
A score of 45/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Sociology. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Sociology careers?
With 42% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $462,547 in decade earnings vs $492,125 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes California State University-Chico's Sociology program stand out?
Ranked #94 of 414 programs nationally, California State University-Chico lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →