Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 52.0%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 52.6%
- Retention Rate
- 72.9%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $59,211
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $13,000
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 19:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 58.2%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $138/mo
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $106,421 | $34,322 |
| Computer Science. | Master | $104,192 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $103,746 | $20,500 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $87,548 | $12,500 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Master | $82,440 | $24,750 |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Master | $74,367 | $20,500 |
| Civil Engineering. | Master | $70,456 | |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services. | Master | $66,461 | $40,301 |
| Mathematics. | Master | $63,005 | |
| Public Administration. | Master | $61,516 | $29,334 |
| Civil Engineering. | Bachelor | $61,516 | $16,500 |
| Social Work. | Master | $60,585 | $29,958 |
| Education, General. | Master | $59,722 | $29,525 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $59,124 | $14,500 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Master | $58,673 |
Outcomes Overview
Cal State LA graduates enter the workforce with manageable debt loads relative to their earning potential. The median debt of $13,000 creates monthly payments of just $138, representing only 2.8% of typical graduate income. This debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.22 sits well below the concerning 1.0 threshold financial experts recommend avoiding. The 92.5% employment rate reflects strong job placement in education, business, and healthcare fields that dominate LA's economy. Many graduates leverage the university's deep community ties to secure positions with local school districts, nonprofits, and small businesses throughout the region. With ten-year median earnings of $59,211 and relatively low debt burdens, Cal State LA delivers a strong return on investment for students seeking practical career preparation.