California State University-East Bay
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$28,220
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$20,546/yr
vs high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
1.4 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
1356%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
One year after graduation, the median salary for California State University-East Bay graduates is $47,959. This is a significant increase over the in-state tuition cost of $7,055. Five years after graduation, the median salary increases to $55,546, and after ten years, the median salary is $71,401. The median debt for graduates is $16,544, and 28.6% of students receive financial aid.
The debt-to-income ratio can be calculated by dividing the median debt by the one-year earnings. This results in a debt-to-income ratio of approximately 0.34. The break-even timeline, which is the time it takes for the increased earnings to offset the cost of tuition, is less than one year. This is because the one-year earnings are significantly higher than the tuition cost.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$7,055
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,544
Median Earnings (5yr)
$55,546
Graduation Rate
46%
Receive Financial Aid
29%
Avg Aid Amount
$0
Program-Level ROI
| Program | 4yr Cost | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | $28,220 | $65,830 | 2085% |
| Psychology, General. | $28,220 | $53,636 | 1221% |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General. | $28,220 | $56,148 | 1399% |
| Sociology. | $28,220 | $51,950 | 1101% |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services. | $28,220 | $53,103 | 1183% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | $28,220 | $57,898 | 1523% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | $28,220 | $139,795 | 7327% |
| Communication and Media Studies. | $28,220 | $60,326 | 1695% |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness. | $28,220 | $47,478 | 784% |
| Biology, General. | $28,220 | $57,742 | 1512% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | $28,220 | $113,177 | 5441% |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | $28,220 | $85,290 | 3464% |
Peer Comparison
1356%
20yr ROI
776%
20yr ROI
617%
20yr ROI
636%
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.