California State University-Long Beach ROI Analysis
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
ROI Summary
Total 4-Year Cost
$28,032
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 | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $91,667 | 3943% |
| Psychology, General | $45,416 | 643% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $135,232 | 7051% |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General | $41,642 | 374% |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $41,856 | 389% |
| Communication and Media Studies | $49,107 | 906% |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $66,607 | 2155% |
| Sociology | $45,282 | 634% |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $0 | N/A |
| English Language and Literature, General | $57,975 | 1539% |
| Social Work | $73,124 | 2620% |
| Biology, General | $56,054 | 1402% |
Peer Comparison
975%
20yr ROI
695%
20yr ROI
589%
20yr ROI
709%
20yr ROI
822%
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.