Hayward, CA · Private University
Is California State University-East Bay Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$71,401
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$7,055
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$18,935
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$75,740
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
3.77x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
2.1 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
45.5%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$16,544
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$11,276
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
California State University-East Bay graduates earn $26,401 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-East Bay ranked by graduate earnings
180 graduates
27 graduates
98 graduates
520 graduates
119 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at California State University-East Bay
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-East Bay, the gap between the highest-earning major (Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing: $139,795) and the lowest (Communication Disorders Sciences and Services: $46,108) is $93,687/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingBest ROI | $139,795 | 7.4x |
| Construction Management | $97,048 | 5.1x |
| Computer Science | $94,132 | 5.0x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $65,830 | 3.5x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $60,326 | 3.2x |
| Political Science and Government | $59,908 | 3.2x |
| Economics | $59,028 | 3.1x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $58,905 | 3.1x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $57,898 | 3.1x |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $57,752 | 3.0x |
| Biology, General | $57,742 | 3.0x |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $56,148 | 3.0x |
| Psychology, General | $53,636 | 2.8x |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $53,103 | 2.8x |
| Sociology | $51,950 | 2.7x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $50,433 | 2.7x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $48,049 | 2.5x |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies | $47,830 | 2.5x |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies(1yr data) | $47,511 | 2.5x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $47,478 | 2.5x |
| History | $46,913 | 2.5x |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and ServicesLowest | $46,108 | 2.4x |
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-East Bay stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $71,401 10 years after starting, $26,401 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 2.1 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.