Economics at California State University-Channel Islands
Bachelor's Degree
Earnings Distribution
How California State University-Channel Islands graduates compare to all programs nationally
California State University-Channel Islands graduates earn $57k, placing them in the 70th percentile of all economics bachelors programs nationally.
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.
Compare to Similar Programs in California
Economics bachelors's programs at peer institutions in California (55 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California State University-Channel Islands | $57,440 | $66,480 | $15,499* | — |
| Stanford University | $98,104 | $127,416 | $12,500* | 0.13 |
| Claremont McKenna College | $89,505 | $115,832 | $12,000* | 0.13 |
| University of California-Berkeley | $80,446 | $106,624 | $13,000* | 0.16 |
| Santa Clara University | $76,606 | $102,794 | $19,500* | 0.25 |
| Pomona College | $70,051 | $100,669 | —* | — |
| National Median | $51,722 | — | $22,816* | 0.44 |
Other Economics Programs in California
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across California schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stanford University Stanford | $62,484 | $98,104 | $12,500 |
| Claremont McKenna College Claremont | $64,150 | $89,505 | $12,000 |
| University of California-Berkeley Berkeley | $14,850 | $80,446 | $13,000 |
| Santa Clara University Santa Clara | $59,241 | $76,606 | $19,500 |
| Pomona College Claremont | $62,326 | $70,051 | — |
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At California State University-Channel Islands, approximately 47% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 18 graduates with reported earnings and 16 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.