California State University-Chico vs Pacific Union College: which has better ROI?
Pacific Union College has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $82,016 in 3.7 years versus 3.7 years at California State University-Chico, on median earnings of $70,484 vs $64,172 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | California State University-Chico | Pacific Union College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $14,480 | $41,008 |
| Total net cost | $57,920 | $82,016 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $64,172 | $70,484 |
| Median debt | $16,552 | $27,500 |
| Payback | 3.7 yrs | 3.7 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $258,320 | $360,464 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, California State University-Chico or Pacific Union College?
California State University-Chico, at $14,480 a year after aid versus $41,008 — a gap of $26,528 a year, or $24,096 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 Pacific Union College graduates earn more?
Pacific Union College graduates report a median $70,484 ten years after entry, $6,312 more than the $64,172 at California State University-Chico. 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 leaves students with less debt, California State University-Chico or Pacific Union College?
California State University-Chico: its completers carry a median $16,552 in federal loans versus $27,500 at Pacific Union College, a difference of $10,948. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
63% of students finish at California State University-Chico, against 58% at Pacific Union 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.