Program Analysis
First-year earnings of $37,432 place California State University-Chico below the $53,966 national median for Economics — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.
With a 22.6x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.
The 17% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Economics career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.
With first-year pay of $37,432 far exceeding the $18,300 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.
A #199 ranking among 351 Economics programs places California State University-Chico in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.
The $37,432-to-$73,084 earnings arc over five years reflects a 95% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.