At $11,276/yr net price, California State University-East Bay graduates earn $71,401/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $37,401/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $11,276 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $45,104 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $71,401/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$37,401/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 1.2 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 45.5% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $16,544 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $8,059/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $8,500/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $11,087/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $15,190/yr |
| $110,001+ | $20,930/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 | $113,585 | $14,747 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Doctoral | $109,763 | |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $90,856 | $22,151 |
| Construction Management. | Bachelor | $80,309 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $79,838 | $29,439 |
| Statistics. | Master | $78,785 | $25,847 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. | Master | $70,456 | $39,757 |
| Public Administration. | Master | $68,918 | $35,500 |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $65,387 | $11,000 |
| Education, General. | Master | $64,791 |
The Risk Factor
45.5% of students at California State University-East Bay 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-East Bay gives you a solid financial return for a moderate price. You pay about $11,276 a year, carry median debt near $16,544, and reach median earnings above $71,000 a decade after starting. That debt-to-earnings gap is the reason this school works: you can borrow a modest amount and still land in decent salary territory.
Your major drives the outcome more than anything else here. Nursing is the clear winner, with graduates out-earning every other program by a wide margin while carrying below-average debt. Construction Management also pays off strongly, which fits the Bay Area's steady building demand. Computer Science lands in a reasonable middle, though $65,387 is modest for a tech degree in one of the country's most expensive job markets. Business Administration is the weak spot: it pays the least of the top programs yet carries the highest debt of the group, so it's the riskiest bet on this list.
The main risk is finishing at all. Fewer than half of students graduate, and about one in five don't return after the first year. Debt without a degree is the worst outcome, and those odds are real here.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. If your household earns under $48,000, you pay around $8,000 to $8,500 a year. Above $110,000, the price more than doubles to nearly $21,000, which changes the math on the return.
This school fits you if you're aiming at nursing, construction, or a technical field and can commit to finishing. If you're leaning toward a general business degree or unsure of your path, weigh the graduation odds carefully before you enroll.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is California State University-East Bay worth the cost?
Cal State East Bay offers solid value with a low net price of $11,276 and median debt of only $16,544. However, the 45% graduation rate means many students don't finish, which significantly impacts ROI for those who drop out.
What are the highest paying majors at California State University-East Bay?
Nursing programs lead earnings at $113,585, followed by educational administration at $109,763. Business administration graduates earn $79,838, which is respectable given the low debt levels.
How much student debt do California State University-East Bay graduates have?
Graduates carry a median debt of $16,544, which is manageable compared to many universities. With 10-year earnings averaging $71,401, most graduates can handle this debt load.
Does California State University-East Bay have a good graduation rate?
The graduation rate is 45.5%, meaning more than half of students don't complete their degree. This low completion rate is the biggest risk to getting value from attending Cal State East Bay.