Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 55.1%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 53.5%
- Retention Rate
- 72.6%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $62,152
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $15,000
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 15:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 66.3%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $159/mo
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $89,613 | $15,238 |
| Biotechnology. | Master | $78,785 | $30,861 |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $73,635 | $18,750 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $64,990 | |
| Economics. | Bachelor | $58,221 | |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $47,260 | |
| Natural Resources Management and Policy. | Bachelor | $42,712 | $19,209 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $40,034 | $15,000 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics. | Bachelor | $38,289 | |
| Political Science and Government. | Bachelor | $35,420 | $15,520 |
| Chemistry. | Bachelor | $35,274 | $21,250 |
| Sociology. | Bachelor | $35,142 | $14,717 |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor | $34,170 | $13,429 |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $33,382 | $18,375 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Bachelor | $32,284 | $17,874 |
Outcomes Overview
Cal State Channel Islands graduates enter the workforce with relatively manageable debt burdens. The median debt of $15,000 translates to monthly payments of $159, consuming just 3.2% of typical first-year earnings of $37,645. With a 92.2% employment rate and median 10-year earnings of $62,152, graduates see steady income growth in California's competitive job market. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.24 falls well below the concerning 1.0 threshold that signals financial stress. Many graduates find opportunities in education, business, and healthcare sectors throughout Ventura County and greater Los Angeles. Given the low debt burden, strong employment outcomes, and California's high salary potential, this represents a strong return on investment for most students.