California State University-Channel Islands
California State University-Channel Islands — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
California State University-Channel Islands at a Glance
California State University Channel Islands is a public university in Ventura County, California. Located near the city of Camarillo, it opened in 2002 as the 23rd campus in the California State University system. CSUCI is located on the Central Coast of California, at the intersection of the Oxnard Plain and northernmost edge of the Santa Monica Mountains range. The Channel Islands are nearby where the university operates a scientific research station on Santa Rosa Island.
2002
24 years old
$35M
$35.1 million (2024)
4,880
4,673 undergrad · 207 grad
413
1,187 acres
Identity
How to Apply to California State University-Channel Islands
Official admissions page$70
Fee waiver available
Fee waiver
Is California State University-Channel Islands Worth It?
California State University-Channel Islands is one of the strongest value propositions in higher education. At $9,849/year net price and $62,152 median earnings, graduates earn 6.3× their annual cost within a decade of enrolling.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.6 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 52% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With a 95% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
Bottom line: California State University-Channel Islands delivers strong financial returns that justify the investment for most students.
How California State University-Channel Islands compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in CA
Ranked #3 of 106 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #2 | Indiana University-Kokomo | 100 | $3,968 | $49,917 |
| #3 | California State University-Channel Islands | 83 | $9,849 | $62,152 |
| #4 | University of Illinois Springfield | 83 | $9,833 | $57,103 |
| #5 | Sonoma State University | 76 | $12,885 | $65,986 |
| #6 | Lake Washington Institute of Technology | 71 | $6,817 | $50,669 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of California State University-Channel Islands's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 5 in CA.
Best Programs at California State University-Channel Islands
The highest-earning program at California State University-Channel Islands is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $86,300/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is English Language and Literature, General at $22,100/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from California State University-Channel Islands earns $86,300, while a English Language and Literature, General graduate earns $22,100. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $14,750 in median debt vs. $18,000 for English Language and Literature, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $9,849/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $86,300 | $86,300 | $14,750 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $45,400 | $45,400 | N/A |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $37,400 | $37,400 | $13,000 |
| Natural Resources Management and Policy | $35,000 | $35,000 | N/A |
| Chemistry | $34,900 | $34,900 | $18,500 |
| Sociology | $33,800 | $33,800 | $12,100 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $31,600 | $31,600 | $15,412 |
| Biology, General | $29,500 | $29,500 | $17,625 |
| Political Science and Government | $28,800 | $28,800 | $18,041 |
| Psychology, General | $28,300 | $28,300 | $15,000 |
| Education, Other | $27,900 | $27,900 | $17,173 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $26,600 | $26,600 | $15,550 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $22,900 | $22,900 | $15,000 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $22,100 | $22,100 | $18,000 |
Similar Colleges in CA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Camarillo, CA
- Student Body
- 5,013 students
- Admission Rate
- 95%
- Graduation Rate
- 52%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $9,849
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $62,152
- Median Student Debt
- $15,000