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Social Work at California State University-Chico

Chico, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $36,840/yr (1% vs median)

AI Risk Moderate (24% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (116,900 openings/yr)

ROI 17.7x earnings multiple (7.1x out-of-state)

Ranked #53 of 338 Social Work programs Top 25%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Social Work graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$570K	$570K	$538K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	17.7x	17.7x	16.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	7.1x	7.1x	6.7x
Probability of Field Employment	70%	69%	58%
DegreeOutlook Score	51	50	61

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 (7.1x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$59,352

-84% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$15,829

5.2 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$55,090

50% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

California State University-Chico's Social Work program produces graduates earning $36,840/yr — within striking distance of the $36,554 national average for this field.

With a 17.7x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 6% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Social Work career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $15,829 in median debt clears quickly against $36,840 in annual earnings.

California State University-Chico ranks #53 among 338 Social Work programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

A 50% earnings increase from $36,840 to $55,090 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About California State University-Chico

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

Social and community service managers $78,240/yr

Social work teachers, postsecondary $76,210/yr

Social workers, all other $69,480/yr

View all 9 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Social Work 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 50/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Social Work at California State University-Chico?

At 50/100, California State University-Chico's Social Work program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.

Is California State University-Chico one of the best schools for Social Work?

Among 338 Social Work programs, California State University-Chico's #53 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.

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