California State University-Chico vs Norco College: which has better ROI?
Norco College has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $10,338 in 3.6 years versus 3.7 years at California State University-Chico, on median earnings of $51,206 vs $64,172 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | California State University-Chico | Norco College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $14,480 | $5,169 |
| Total net cost | $57,920 | $10,338 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $64,172 | $51,206 |
| Median debt | $16,552 | — |
| Payback | 3.7 yrs | 3.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $258,320 | $46,582 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, California State University-Chico or Norco College?
Norco College, at $5,169 a year after aid versus $14,480 — a gap of $9,311 a year, or $47,582 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do California State University-Chico or Norco College graduates earn more?
California State University-Chico graduates report a median $64,172 ten years after entry, $12,966 more than the $51,206 at Norco College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which graduates more of its students?
63% of students finish at California State University-Chico, against 42% at Norco College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.