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Liberal Arts & Humanities at California State University-Chico

Chico, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $27,196/yr (-27% vs median)

AI Risk Low (0% exposed)

Job Market Medium (13,500 openings/yr)

ROI 18.0x earnings multiple (7.3x out-of-state)

Ranked #187 of 424 Liberal Arts and Sciences programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Liberal Arts & Humanities graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$579K	$579K	$555K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	18.0x	18.0x	17.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	7.3x	7.3x	7.0x
Probability of Field Employment	45%	45%	45%
DegreeOutlook Score	35	34	42

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 (7.3x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$59,352

-84% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$15,688

6.9 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$55,139

103% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

California State University-Chico's Liberal Arts & Humanities graduates start at $27,196/yr, trailing the $37,172 national average by 27%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

With a 18.0x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 4% spread between best and worst-case AI scenarios signals strong resilience. Most career paths mapped to Liberal Arts & Humanities involve work that current AI cannot replicate.

At $15,688 against $27,196/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #187 ranking among 424 Liberal Arts & Humanities programs places California State University-Chico in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The $27,196-to-$55,139 earnings arc over five years reflects a 103% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About California State University-Chico

A 94% acceptance rate means California State University-Chico is accessible to most applicants, 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

Postsecondary teachers, all other $78,490/yr

View all 1 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Liberal Arts & Humanities 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 does a 34/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Liberal Arts & Humanities at California State University-Chico?

At 34/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Liberal Arts & Humanities programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

Is California State University-Chico a good choice for Liberal Arts & Humanities despite lower starting pay?

Starting salary is one data point. If California State University-Chico's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.

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