California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt ROI Analysis
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
Quick answer
USACollegeData.com ROI analysis (College Scorecard data): four years at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt costs about $31,652 in in-state tuition, and graduates earn a median of $37,382 five years after graduation — the investment breaks even in roughly 13.3 years (20-year ROI: 51%).
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$31,652
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$2,382/yr
above high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
13.3 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
51%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
One year after graduation, the median earnings for Cal Poly Humboldt graduates are $30,678. The in-state tuition cost is $7,913. The median debt for graduates is $18,000, and 37.1% of students receive financial aid. Five years after graduation, median earnings rise to $37,382, and after ten years, median earnings are $47,626.
The provided data does not allow for a precise calculation of the debt-to-income ratio. However, the median debt of $18,000 can be compared to the one-year median earnings of $30,678.
The data does not provide enough information to calculate a break-even timeline.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$7,913
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,000
Median Earnings (5yr)
$37,382
Graduation Rate
46%
Receive Financial Aid
37%
Avg Aid Amount
N/A
Program-Level ROI
| Program | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Psychology, General | $67,538 | 1956% |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $53,425 | 1064% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $51,034 | 913% |
| Biology, General | $39,303 | 172% |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $40,750 | 263% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $34,209 | N/A |
| Social Work | $63,161 | 1679% |
| Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management | $33,037 | N/A |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $27,664 | N/A |
| Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering | $71,510 | 2207% |
| Forestry | $51,526 | 944% |
| Criminology | $42,938 | 402% |
| Anthropology | $43,020 | 407% |
| Sociology | $37,681 | 69% |
| English Language and Literature, General | $32,524 | N/A |
| Zoology/Animal Biology | $26,675 | N/A |
| Journalism | $32,810 | N/A |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | $52,768 | 1023% |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $38,755 | 137% |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $0 | N/A |
| Political Science and Government | $0 | N/A |
| History | $39,994 | 216% |
| Botany/Plant Biology | $43,749 | 453% |
| Chemistry | $0 | N/A |
Peer Comparison
51%
20yr ROI
66%
20yr ROI
48%
20yr ROI
62%
20yr ROI
279%
20yr ROI
Financial Aid Impact
Before Aid
After Aid (Estimated)
Frequently Asked Questions
Methodology
ROI calculations are based on data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. The earnings premium is calculated as the difference between median graduate earnings and the national average earnings for high school diploma holders ($35,000).
The 20-year ROI formula: ((Earnings Premium x 20) - Total Cost) / Total Cost x 100. Break-even point: Total Cost / Annual Earnings Premium. All figures use in-state tuition and do not account for inflation, opportunity cost, or financial aid variations.