At $9,792/yr net price, California State University-Channel Islands graduates earn $62,152/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $28,152/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $9,792 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $39,168 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $62,152/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$28,152/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 1.4 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 53.5% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $15,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $7,077/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $7,350/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $9,293/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $15,043/yr |
| $110,001+ | $20,871/yr |
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 |
The Risk Factor
53.5% of students at California State University-Channel Islands graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
California State University-Channel Islands gives you a low-cost degree with a solid payoff, and the debt load stays manageable. You borrow little to earn a mid-tier salary a decade out, which is a strong return for a public school in Ventura County's expensive coastal market.
Your major decides almost everything here. Nursing is the clear winner, paying nearly $90k with debt that barely moves above the school median. Computer Science lands second and rewards you well. The gap after that is steep: Economics pulls in the high $50k range, and Natural Resources Management sits below $43k while carrying the highest debt of any program listed. If you enter Natural Resources, you take on more debt to earn less, so go in knowing the math.
The main risk is finishing. Just over half of you graduate, and only about seven in ten return after year one. If you drop out, you still owe the loans without the degree that makes them worth it. That completion risk matters more here than cost.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families sharply. If your family earns under $48k, you pay around $7,000 a year. Cross into the $75-110k band and the price more than doubles to about $15,000, and above $110k it climbs past $20,000. Middle and upper-income families pay close to sticker, so the value case is strongest for you if your family income is low.
This school fits you if you want nursing or computer science on a tight budget and can commit to finishing. Look elsewhere if you're drawn to lower-paying majors like Natural Resources and would carry debt for them, or if you need a school with stronger retention to keep you on track.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is California State University-Channel Islands worth the cost?
With a low net price of $9,792 annually and median debt of just $15,000, CSU Channel Islands offers decent value for students who graduate. However, the 53% graduation rate means nearly half of students don't finish, which significantly impacts ROI for those who don't complete their degrees.
What are the highest paying majors at California State University-Channel Islands?
Nursing programs at CSU Channel Islands lead earnings at $89,613 annually, followed by biotechnology at $78,785 and computer science at $73,635. Business and economics majors earn considerably less at around $58,000-$65,000.
How much debt do California State University-Channel Islands graduates have?
CSU Channel Islands graduates have a median debt of $15,000, which is relatively low compared to national averages. This manageable debt load helps improve the school's overall return on investment for students who complete their programs.
Should I choose California State University-Channel Islands for my degree?
CSU Channel Islands works best for students pursuing nursing, biotechnology, or computer science, where career earnings justify the investment. Students considering business or liberal arts should weigh the moderate earnings potential against the risk of not graduating, given the school's 53% completion rate.