Nutrition Sciences at California State University-Chico

At first glance, $25,490 in first-year earnings for a bachelor's degree seems concerning, and indeed, this program ranks in just the 25th percentile among California's nutrition science programs—meaning three-quarters of similar in-state options produce better outcomes. The gap is stark: top California programs like UC Berkeley and San Diego State see graduates earning nearly $10,000 more annually, while Chico State falls about $5,600 below the state median. With a small sample size (under 30 graduates), these numbers could shift year to year, but the pattern warrants serious attention for a family weighing in-state CSU options.

The financial picture does have one bright spot: debt loads are relatively modest at $19,272, sitting below both state and national medians. This keeps the debt-to-earnings ratio at 0.76—not terrible, but still represents nearly a full year's salary to repay. For students from lower-income backgrounds (40% receive Pell grants here), that first-year salary will feel tight when rent and loan payments compete.

If your child is committed to nutrition science and specifically wants the CSU system's accessibility, understand they're likely trading lower first-year earnings for that 94% admission rate and lower sticker price. But if career launch matters more than campus preference, other California public universities offer demonstrably stronger outcomes in this field. The small sample also means you should dig into whether Chico State's program prepares graduates for higher-paying specialized roles that might materialize later in their careers.