California State University-Bakersfield
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$30,784
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$9,282/yr
vs high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
3.3 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
503%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
One year after graduation, the typical California State University-Bakersfield student earns $38,105, which is approximately five times the annual in-state tuition cost of $7,696. Five years after graduation, earnings increase to $44,282, and after ten years, earnings rise to $59,009. The median debt for students is $16,600.
The debt-to-income ratio for a typical graduate is approximately 43.5% one year after graduation, based on the median debt and one-year earnings. The debt-to-income ratio decreases to 37.5% five years after graduation, and further decreases to 28.1% ten years after graduation.
Based on the provided data, a graduate would need approximately 0.4 years to earn an amount equal to their median debt, assuming they saved all of their earnings. This calculation is based on the median debt of $16,600 and the one-year earnings of $38,105.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$7,696
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,600
Median Earnings (5yr)
$44,282
Graduation Rate
50%
Receive Financial Aid
25%
Avg Aid Amount
$0
Program-Level ROI
| Program | 4yr Cost | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | $30,784 | $50,448 | 904% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | $30,784 | $52,770 | 1054% |
| Psychology, General. | $30,784 | $45,294 | 569% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | $30,784 | $50,722 | 921% |
| Education, General. | $30,784 | $75,835 | 2553% |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | $30,784 | $36,336 | -13% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | $30,784 | $0 | N/A |
| Sociology. | $30,784 | $44,740 | 533% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | $30,784 | $99,938 | 4119% |
| Communication and Media Studies. | $30,784 | $45,620 | 590% |
| Biology, General. | $30,784 | $51,466 | 970% |
| Social Work. | $30,784 | $68,585 | 2082% |
Peer Comparison
503%
20yr ROI
321%
20yr ROI
517%
20yr ROI
560%
20yr ROI
337%
20yr ROI
Financial Aid Impact
Before Aid
After Aid (Estimated)
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.