California State University-Stanislaus
California State University-Stanislaus — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
California State University-Stanislaus at a Glance
California State University, Stanislaus is a public university in Turlock, California, United States. It is part of the California State University system. It was established in 1957 and offers 45 bachelor's degree programs and 38 graduate programs, which include 22 master's degree programs, one doctoral degree, 10 certificate programs, and 5 teaching credentials. Stanislaus State is a Hispanic-serving institution.
1957
69 years old
$22M
$ 22.4 million (2024-25)
9,398
8,293 undergrad · 1,105 grad
228 acres
Identity
Is California State University-Stanislaus Worth It?
California State University-Stanislaus is one of the strongest value propositions in higher education. At $6,067/year net price and $63,188 median earnings, graduates earn 10.4× their annual cost within a decade of enrolling.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.4 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 56% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 6 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 98% 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-Stanislaus delivers strong financial returns that justify the investment for most students.
How California State University-Stanislaus compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in CA
Ranked #1 of 87 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 | California State University-Stanislaus | 100 | $6,067 | $63,188 |
| #2 | California State University-Bakersfield | 100 | $5,652 | $59,009 |
| #3 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #4 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #5 | University of Washington-Bothell Campus | 100 | $12,319 | $78,466 |
| #6 | Michigan Technological University | 94 | $14,182 | $78,198 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of California State University-Stanislaus's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 11 in CA.
Best Programs at California State University-Stanislaus
The highest-earning program at California State University-Stanislaus is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $96,800/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is History at $20,800/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from California State University-Stanislaus earns $96,800, while a History graduate earns $20,800. 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 $22,188 in median debt vs. $8,244 for History.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $6,067/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 | $96,800 | $96,800 | $22,188 |
| Computer Science | $44,700 | $44,700 | $11,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $36,800 | $36,800 | $13,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $32,900 | $32,900 | $16,750 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $32,600 | $32,600 | $12,650 |
| Social Sciences, General | $31,500 | $31,500 | $14,248 |
| Biology, General | $31,000 | $31,000 | $18,344 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $28,100 | $28,100 | $15,313 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $27,000 | $27,000 | $11,250 |
| Psychology, General | $26,100 | $26,100 | $14,625 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $25,400 | $25,400 | $19,682 |
| Sociology | $25,400 | $25,400 | $14,375 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $23,800 | $23,800 | $12,046 |
| History | $20,800 | $20,800 | $8,244 |
Similar Colleges in CA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Turlock, CA
- Student Body
- 8,385 students
- Admission Rate
- 98%
- Graduation Rate
- 56%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $6,067
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $63,188
- Median Student Debt
- $13,540