California State University-Sacramento ROI Analysis
Comprehensive ROI analysis based on tuition costs, graduate earnings, financial aid, and long-term earning potential.
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 | Median Earnings (5yr) | Est. 20yr ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $100,689 | 4221% |
| Communication and Media Studies | $52,314 | 1039% |
| Psychology, General | $49,078 | 826% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $56,016 | 1282% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $0 | N/A |
| Social Work | $73,856 | 2456% |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $52,213 | 1032% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $123,869 | 5745% |
| Biology, General | $55,332 | 1237% |
| Sociology | $50,786 | 938% |
| Mechanical Engineering | $82,495 | 3024% |
| Economics | $58,522 | 1447% |
Peer Comparison
957%
20yr ROI
984%
20yr ROI
798%
20yr ROI
649%
20yr ROI
593%
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.