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Is California State University-Chico worth it?
A first pass affordability and outcome read for California State University-Chico, using national average inputs. Run your own numbers for a personalized score.
Worth-It Score
Workable
California State University-Chico lands in the workable band for a typical family. Median debt of $16,552 can be carried by median long-run earnings of $64,172, but the margin is not huge. For context, California State University-Chico's net price runs about 15% above the typical 4-year, public school. This is the kind of school where your actual aid offer can move the answer meaningfully.
Is the price fair?
Compared to 774 similar 4-year, public schools
This school
$15,187
/yrAverage school like this
$13,155
/yrThis weighs on your Worth-It Score
You'd pay about $2,033 more per year than the typical student at a similar school. Over 4 years that's roughly $8,000 in extra cost.
Score breakdown
The public version of the score weighs affordability, after graduation outcomes, and repayment burden.
Affordability
40% weight
The yearly net price sits in a range that leaves more room for family cash flow and lower borrowing.
Outcome
40% weight
The outcome data does not create enough margin to fully offset the cost.
Repayment
20% weight
Median debt stays in a more comfortable repayment range for a typical graduate.
The numbers behind the score
Median net price per year
$14,480
Median earnings 10 years out
$64,172
Median debt at graduation
$16,552
Graduation rate
63%
At California State University-Chico, a typical graduate carries about $16,552 in student debt and earns roughly $64,172 ten years after enrolling. On a standard 10-year repayment plan, that works out to about $188 per month, or 4% of pre-tax income. That sits inside a borrower comfort range for many graduates.
What this means for your family
California State University-Chico is a public four year school in Chico, CA. For many families, the key question is whether the published value here beats cheaper in state or regional alternatives once your real aid offer arrives.
Similar schools worth comparing
These schools share a similar sector, geography, or price range.
Public 4-year
University of California-Riverside
Riverside, CA
Worth-It Score: 81/100
Median net price: $14,304
Public 4-year
University of California-Irvine
Irvine, CA
Worth-It Score: 89/100
Median net price: $14,251
Public 4-year
University of California-Davis
Davis, CA
Worth-It Score: 88/100
Median net price: $14,741
Public 4-year
San Jose State
San Jose, CA
Worth-It Score: 79/100
Median net price: $13,760
Public 4-year
San Diego State
San Diego, CA
Worth-It Score: 81/100
Median net price: $15,364
Common questions about California State University-Chico
The median net price at California State University-Chico is $14,480 per year. That is the average yearly price after typical grant aid for students in the public federal data, not the published sticker price.
Get your personalized Worth-It score
National averages are a starting point. Plug in your actual aid offer, intended major, and family situation to get a score that reflects your specific picture.
Looking at public universities options in California? See the most affordable public universities in California →
The Worth-It Score weighs affordability (40%), after graduation outcomes (40%), and repayment burden (20%). Underlying data points come from publicly available federal higher education reporting. See full methodology →