Head-to-head comparison
California State University-Chico vs Ohlone College: which has better ROI?
Option A Chico, CA
California State University-Chico
- Net price / year
- $14,480
- Earnings, 10 years
- $64,172
- Payback
- 3.7 yrs
Option B Fremont, CA
Ohlone College
- Net price / year
- $11,130
- Earnings, 10 years
- $54,278
- Payback
- 3.8 yrs
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.
The short answer
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.
The short answer
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.
The short answer
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.