California State University-Fullerton ROI Analysis
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$28,292
In-state tuition x 4
Earnings Premium
$13,558/yr
above high school diploma avg
Break-Even Point
2.1 years
After graduation
20-Year ROI
858%
Return on investment
ROI Analysis
The annual in-state tuition at California State University-Fullerton is $7,073. One year after graduation, alumni earn a median salary of $39,215. Five years after graduation, the median salary increases to $48,558, and after ten years, the median salary is $62,951. The median debt for students is $13,750, and 22.1% of students receive financial aid.
The debt-to-income ratio, calculated by dividing the median debt by the first-year earnings, is approximately 0.35. The break-even point, which is the time it takes for the cumulative earnings to surpass the tuition cost, is less than one year.
Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data
The Numbers
Annual Tuition (In-State)
$7,073
Median Debt at Graduation
$13,750
Median Earnings (5yr)
$48,558
Graduation Rate
69%
Receive Financial Aid
22%
Avg Aid Amount
N/A
Program-Level ROI
| Program | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $98,279 | 4373% |
| Communication and Media Studies | $83,692 | 3342% |
| Psychology, General | $46,506 | 713% |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $44,977 | 605% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $70,563 | 2414% |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $41,619 | 368% |
| Sociology | $45,407 | 636% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $175,658 | 9843% |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $47,404 | 777% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $49,198 | 904% |
| Education, General | $0 | N/A |
| Human Services, General | $0 | N/A |
Peer Comparison
858%
20yr ROI
799%
20yr ROI
380%
20yr ROI
647%
20yr ROI
376%
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.