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Return on Investment Analysis

California State University-Long Beach 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 University-Long Beach costs about $28,032 in in-state tuition, and graduates earn a median of $50,062 five years after graduation — the investment breaks even in roughly 1.9 years (20-year ROI: 975%).

ROI Summary

Total 4-Year Cost

$28,032

In-state tuition x 4

Earnings Premium

$15,062/yr

above high school diploma avg

Break-Even Point

1.9 years

After graduation

20-Year ROI

975%

Return on investment

ROI Analysis

The median debt for California State University-Long Beach graduates is $14,289. The one-year earnings after graduation are $38,082, increasing to $50,062 after five years, and $64,403 after ten years. The in-state tuition is $7,008.

The debt-to-income ratio is not directly calculable with the provided data. However, the one-year earnings are more than double the median debt. The five-year earnings are more than three times the median debt.

The break-even timeline, or the time it takes for earnings to surpass the cost of tuition, is less than one year.

Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data

The Numbers

Annual Tuition (In-State)

$7,008

Median Debt at Graduation

$14,289

Median Earnings (5yr)

$50,062

Graduation Rate

71%

Receive Financial Aid

24%

Avg Aid Amount

N/A

Program-Level ROI

Program 4yr Cost Median Earnings (5yr) Est. 20yr ROI
Business Administration, Management and Operations $28,032 $91,667 3943%
Psychology, General $28,032 $45,416 643%
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing $28,032 $135,232 7051%
Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General $28,032 $41,642 374%
Fine and Studio Arts $28,032 $41,856 389%
Communication and Media Studies $28,032 $49,107 906%
Health and Physical Education/Fitness $28,032 $66,607 2155%
Sociology $28,032 $45,282 634%
English Language and Literature, General $28,032 $57,975 1539%
Social Work $28,032 $73,124 2620%
Biology, General $28,032 $56,054 1402%
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities $28,032 $46,751 738%
Health and Medical Administrative Services $28,032 $93,587 4080%
Criminal Justice and Corrections $28,032 $51,201 1056%
Mechanical Engineering $28,032 $85,474 3501%
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering $28,032 $112,115 5402%
Political Science and Government $28,032 $47,695 806%
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services $28,032 $43,796 528%
History $28,032 $43,713 522%
Civil Engineering $28,032 $83,849 3385%
Music $28,032 $28,306 N/A
Public Administration $28,032 $80,007 3111%
Design and Applied Arts $28,032 $58,879 1604%
Mathematics $28,032 $78,418 2998%

Peer Comparison

California State University-Long Beach Current

975%

20yr ROI

Minnesota State University-Mankato

695%

20yr ROI

The University of Texas Permian Basin

589%

20yr ROI

University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire

709%

20yr ROI

University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh

822%

20yr ROI

Financial Aid Impact

Before Aid

4-Year Tuition$28,032
Median Debt$14,289

After Aid (Estimated)

Estimated Total Aid$0
Net 4-Year Cost$28,032

Frequently Asked Questions

Based on government data, California State University-Long Beach has an estimated 20-year ROI of 975%. The total 4-year cost is $28,032 and graduates earn a median of $50,062 within 5 years.

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.

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