California State University-Chico vs Ohlone College: which has better ROI?
California State University-Chico has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $57,920 in 3.7 years versus 3.8 years at Ohlone College, on median earnings of $64,172 vs $54,278 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | California State University-Chico | Ohlone College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $14,480 | $11,130 |
| Total net cost | $57,920 | $22,260 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $64,172 | $54,278 |
| Median debt | $16,552 | — |
| Payback | 3.7 yrs | 3.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $258,320 | $96,100 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, California State University-Chico or Ohlone College?
Ohlone College, at $11,130 a year after aid versus $14,480 — a gap of $3,350 a year, or $35,660 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 Ohlone College graduates earn more?
California State University-Chico graduates report a median $64,172 ten years after entry, $9,894 more than the $54,278 at Ohlone 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 52% at Ohlone 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.