Location: Chico, CA•In-State Tuition: $8,064•Out-of-State Tuition: $19,944•Admission Rate: 94%
Est. Earnings (1yr)
$45,387
Est. from CA median (5 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$22,750
Est. from national median (19 programs)

Analysis

Computer software programs in California show dramatic variation in outcomes, and Chico State's estimated figures place it in the middle of that range. Based on five comparable programs statewide, first-year earnings around $45,400 match California's median exactly, which means graduates likely earn more than the national median for this credential ($38,200) but far less than what elite programs produce. USC graduates in this field start near $103,000—highlighting how much the specific program matters in tech education.

The estimated debt load of $22,750 works strongly in this program's favor. That's about $12,600 less than California's typical debt for software credentials and $4,250 below the national median. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.50, graduates would need roughly half their first-year salary to cover what they borrowed—manageable by most standards. For families sensitive to cost (40% of Chico State students receive Pell grants), this lighter debt burden matters considerably, especially if students enter fields where starting salaries don't immediately justify large loans.

The uncertainty here is real: these estimates come from peer programs, not Chico State's actual graduate outcomes. If your child is serious about software development, compare this against schools with reported data, particularly those closer to tech hubs where internship and job opportunities multiply. But for students seeking affordable access to tech credentials without relocating to expensive metro areas, the estimated profile suggests reasonable value—assuming the actual outcomes align with these state-level patterns.

Where California State University-Chico Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all computer software and media applications bachelors's programs nationally

California State University-Chico (estimated ±10%)Other computer software and media applications programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Compare to Similar Programs in California

Computer Software and Media Applications bachelors's programs at peer institutions in California (14 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
California State University-ChicoChico$8,064$45,387*—$22,750*—
University of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles$68,237$103,071*$134,326$23,500*0.23
University of Phoenix-CaliforniaOntario—$83,476*$57,111$44,225*0.53
Academy of Art UniversitySan Francisco$28,024$45,387*$72,792$39,715*0.88
University of Silicon ValleySan Jose$22,480$37,693*—$31,000*0.82
DeVry University-CaliforniaOntario$17,488$32,159*$38,887$48,849*1.52
National Median—$38,234*—$27,000*0.71
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with computer software and media applications graduates

Computer and Information Systems Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as electronic data processing, information systems, systems analysis, and computer programming.

$171,200/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Computer and Information Research Scientists

Conduct research into fundamental computer and information science as theorists, designers, or inventors. Develop solutions to problems in the field of computer hardware and software.

$140,910/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Software Developers

Research, design, and develop computer and network software or specialized utility programs. Analyze user needs and develop software solutions, applying principles and techniques of computer science, engineering, and mathematical analysis. Update software or enhance existing software capabilities. May work with computer hardware engineers to integrate hardware and software systems, and develop specifications and performance requirements. May maintain databases within an application area, working individually or coordinating database development as part of a team.

$131,450/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Database Administrators

Administer, test, and implement computer databases, applying knowledge of database management systems. Coordinate changes to computer databases. Identify, investigate, and resolve database performance issues, database capacity, and database scalability. May plan, coordinate, and implement security measures to safeguard computer databases.

$123,100/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Database Architects

Design strategies for enterprise databases, data warehouse systems, and multidimensional networks. Set standards for database operations, programming, query processes, and security. Model, design, and construct large relational databases or data warehouses. Create and optimize data models for warehouse infrastructure and workflow. Integrate new systems with existing warehouse structure and refine system performance and functionality.

$123,100/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Data Warehousing Specialists

Design, model, or implement corporate data warehousing activities. Program and configure warehouses of database information and provide support to warehouse users.

$123,100/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Data Scientists

Develop and implement a set of techniques or analytics applications to transform raw data into meaningful information using data-oriented programming languages and visualization software. Apply data mining, data modeling, natural language processing, and machine learning to extract and analyze information from large structured and unstructured datasets. Visualize, interpret, and report data findings. May create dynamic data reports.

$112,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Business Intelligence Analysts

Produce financial and market intelligence by querying data repositories and generating periodic reports. Devise methods for identifying data patterns and trends in available information sources.

$112,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Clinical Data Managers

Apply knowledge of health care and database management to analyze clinical data, and to identify and report trends.

$112,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Special Effects Artists and Animators

Create special effects or animations using film, video, computers, or other electronic tools and media for use in products, such as computer games, movies, music videos, and commercials.

$99,800/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Computer Programmers

Create, modify, and test the code and scripts that allow computer applications to run. Work from specifications drawn up by software and web developers or other individuals. May develop and write computer programs to store, locate, and retrieve specific documents, data, and information.

$98,670/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Web Developers

Develop and implement websites, web applications, application databases, and interactive web interfaces. Evaluate code to ensure that it is properly structured, meets industry standards, and is compatible with browsers and devices. Optimize website performance, scalability, and server-side code and processes. May develop website infrastructure and integrate websites with other computer applications.

$95,380/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At California State University-Chico, approximately 40% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 5 similar programs in CA. Actual outcomes may vary.