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Return on Investment Analysis

California State University-Sacramento 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-Sacramento costs about $30,408 in in-state tuition, and graduates earn a median of $51,074 five years after graduation — the investment breaks even in roughly 1.9 years (20-year ROI: 957%).

ROI Summary

Total 4-Year Cost

$30,408

In-state tuition x 4

Earnings Premium

$16,074/yr

above high school diploma avg

Break-Even Point

1.9 years

After graduation

20-Year ROI

957%

Return on investment

ROI Analysis

The annual in-state tuition at California State University-Sacramento is $7,602. One year after graduation, alumni earn a median salary of $42,434. Five years after graduation, the median salary increases to $51,074, and after ten years, the median salary is $64,876. The median debt for graduates is $15,000, and 24.9% 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 increased earnings to offset the tuition cost, is less than one year.

Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data

The Numbers

Annual Tuition (In-State)

$7,602

Median Debt at Graduation

$15,000

Median Earnings (5yr)

$51,074

Graduation Rate

55%

Receive Financial Aid

25%

Avg Aid Amount

N/A

Program-Level ROI

Program 4yr Cost Median Earnings (5yr) Est. 20yr ROI
Business Administration, Management and Operations $30,408 $100,689 4221%
Communication and Media Studies $30,408 $52,314 1039%
Psychology, General $30,408 $49,078 826%
Criminal Justice and Corrections $30,408 $56,016 1282%
Social Work $30,408 $73,856 2456%
Health and Physical Education/Fitness $30,408 $52,213 1032%
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing $30,408 $123,869 5745%
Biology, General $30,408 $55,332 1237%
Sociology $30,408 $50,786 938%
Mechanical Engineering $30,408 $82,495 3024%
Economics $30,408 $58,522 1447%
Civil Engineering $30,408 $99,730 4157%
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities $30,408 $46,959 687%
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General $30,408 $58,360 1436%
Political Science and Government $30,408 $53,959 1147%
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services $30,408 $77,323 2684%
English Language and Literature, General $30,408 $41,496 327%
Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General $30,408 $48,638 797%
History $30,408 $64,786 1859%
Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies $30,408 $52,683 1063%
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering $30,408 $95,564 3883%
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies $30,408 $45,590 597%
Film/Video and Photographic Arts $30,408 $41,945 357%
Education, General $30,408 $79,866 2851%

Peer Comparison

California State University-Sacramento Current

957%

20yr ROI

CUNY Lehman College

984%

20yr ROI

SUNY College at Geneseo

798%

20yr ROI

West Chester University of Pennsylvania

649%

20yr ROI

University of Kansas

593%

20yr ROI

Financial Aid Impact

Before Aid

4-Year Tuition$30,408
Median Debt$15,000

After Aid (Estimated)

Estimated Total Aid$0
Net 4-Year Cost$30,408

Frequently Asked Questions

Based on government data, California State University-Sacramento has an estimated 20-year ROI of 957%. The total 4-year cost is $30,408 and graduates earn a median of $51,074 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.

Back to California State University-Sacramento Colleges in California Compare Schools ROI Rankings