Payscale Ranks Chico State in Nation’s Top 100 Public Schools For Return on Investment

University Among Five in California State University to Make List

Investing in a college education can be a monumental decision that offers returns for decades to come. Once again, California State University, Chico has been ranked among the best institutions at which to carry out that choice.  

This month, the website Payscale released its annual rankings of colleges and universities nationwide for the return on investment, and Chico State was ranked No. 93 among public universities—placing it in the top 10 percent in the nation.

The Payscale College ROI Report—which it has been publishing for more than 15 years—evaluates the cost of attending a college against the long-term earning potential of a student after graduation. Rankings are based on factors such as a 20-year net or annual percentage ROI for on-campus costs, factoring in costs with and without financial aid.

Among public universities, Chico State boasts an annual percentage ROI of 10.1 percent. The University provides, on average, a $606,000 increase in earnings over a 20-year period when compared to individuals who did not attend college.

“We are proud to be on this list as it reflects our longstanding reputation as a high-quality, affordable, and accessible university,” said President Steve Perez. “We work hard to be one of the best investments a student can make. Students can come to Chico State with confidence they will receive a world-class education in a great college-town environment and their time here will yield a high return on that investment for future earnings in their chosen careers.”

A total of five CSU campuses appeared in the top 100 list, including Cal Poly San Luis Obispo (No. 18), San José State (No. 32), Cal Poly Pomona (No. 55), and CSU East Bay (No. 89).

“Every year, we are proud to be a top choice for students who see Chico State as the place to pursue their passions, graduate, and start their careers with little to no debt,” said Serge Desir, associate vice president for Enrollment Management. “Through their education and the experiences they pursue here, they are empowered to change their lives, their families’ and the communities they call home—which is an invaluable return on investment.”

In addition to the ROI Report, Payscale also released its College Impact on Compensation Report, which highlights differences in pay between college graduates and non-college graduates, and its College Salary Report, which analyzes alumni salary data of 3.5 million respondents.

In salary competitiveness, Chico State ranked 156th among more than 2,400 public and private institutions across the nation and in the top third in California. Graduates reported an average early career salary of $69,000 and a mid-career salary of $132,000. Furthermore, the University ranked well for “high meaning,” reflecting that 50 percent of alumni reported their job makes the world a better place.

The latest Payscale rankings reiterate other recognition the University has earned in recent years where Forbes, Washington Monthly, and Money magazine, recognize it as an elite institution of higher education. Last year’s report by US News & World Report placed Chico State at No. 21 in its “Best Value Schools – Regional Universities (West)” rankings. As a “Best Value School,” Chico State has also been noted as a leader in social mobility—and tied for No. 22 as a “Top Performer on Social Mobility – Regional Universities (West).”

A May 2024 report by the HEA Group measuring return on investment in California higher education for low- and moderate-income learners noted that the time to recoup the expense of a Chico State degree is just 1.3 years. Chico State students also earn about $32,800 more than high school graduates.