Camarillo, CA · Private University
Is California State University-Channel Islands Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$62,152
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$6,817
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$18,697
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$74,788
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
3.32x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
2.8 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
53.4%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$15,000
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$9,792
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
California State University-Channel Islands graduates earn $17,152 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at California State University-Channel Islands ranked by graduate earnings
60 graduates
130 graduates
16 graduates
18 graduates
342 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at California State University-Channel Islands
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At California State University-Channel Islands, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer Science: $100,661) and the lowest (Natural Resources Conservation and Research: $31,938) is $68,723/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer ScienceBest ROI | $100,661 | 5.4x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $96,313 | 5.2x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $73,565 | 3.9x |
| Economics | $66,480 | 3.6x |
| Anthropology | $55,660 | 3.0x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $55,621 | 3.0x |
| Biology, General | $54,178 | 2.9x |
| Natural Resources Management and Policy | $51,811 | 2.8x |
| Political Science and Government | $50,837 | 2.7x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $50,479 | 2.7x |
| Sociology | $49,741 | 2.7x |
| History | $47,393 | 2.5x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $46,560 | 2.5x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $46,444 | 2.5x |
| Chemistry(1yr data) | $46,131 | 2.5x |
| Psychology, General | $43,425 | 2.3x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $41,415 | 2.2x |
| Education, Other | $39,111 | 2.1x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $38,229 | 2.0x |
| Mathematics(1yr data) | $34,118 | 1.8x |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General(1yr data) | $34,053 | 1.8x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and ResearchLowest(1yr data) | $31,938 | 1.7x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
California State University-Channel Islands stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $62,152 10 years after starting, $17,152 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 2.8 years, faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.