Fullerton, CA · Private University
Is California State University-Fullerton Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$62,951
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$7,073
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$18,953
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$75,812
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
3.32x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
2.7 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
69.2%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$13,750
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$5,646
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
California State University-Fullerton graduates earn $17,951 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-Fullerton ranked by graduate earnings
374 graduates
64 graduates
289 graduates
78 graduates
111 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at California State University-Fullerton
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-Fullerton, the gap between the highest-earning major (Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing: $105,346) and the lowest (Music: $20,354) is $84,992/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingBest ROI | $105,346 | 5.6x |
| Computer Engineering | $101,927 | 5.4x |
| Computer Science | $89,630 | 4.7x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $88,331 | 4.7x |
| Civil Engineering | $83,693 | 4.4x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $83,094 | 4.4x |
| Economics | $71,016 | 3.8x |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | $65,717 | 3.5x |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | $65,436 | 3.5x |
| Information Science/Studies | $61,927 | 3.3x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $60,980 | 3.2x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $59,444 | 3.1x |
| Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences | $58,786 | 3.1x |
| Public Administration | $57,169 | 3.0x |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $53,815 | 2.8x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $51,693 | 2.7x |
| Political Science and Government | $50,663 | 2.7x |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods(1yr data) | $49,830 | 2.6x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $49,653 | 2.6x |
| International Business | $49,269 | 2.6x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $49,198 | 2.6x |
| Anthropology | $48,746 | 2.6x |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology | $48,658 | 2.6x |
| Area Studies | $47,728 | 2.5x |
| Geography and Cartography | $47,679 | 2.5x |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $47,404 | 2.5x |
| Psychology, General | $46,506 | 2.5x |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | $45,701 | 2.4x |
| Sociology | $45,407 | 2.4x |
| History | $45,280 | 2.4x |
| Chemistry(1yr data) | $45,076 | 2.4x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $44,977 | 2.4x |
| Mathematics(1yr data) | $44,903 | 2.4x |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $44,074 | 2.3x |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services | $43,659 | 2.3x |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $42,137 | 2.2x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $41,619 | 2.2x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $41,189 | 2.2x |
| Public Health(1yr data) | $34,909 | 1.8x |
| Philosophy | $31,759 | 1.7x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $29,587 | 1.6x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods(1yr data) | $28,933 | 1.5x |
| Dance(1yr data) | $24,087 | 1.3x |
| MusicLowest | $20,354 | 1.1x |
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-Fullerton stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $62,951 10 years after starting, $17,951 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 2.7 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.