Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences at California State University-Channel Islands

CSU Channel Islands' health sciences program faces a significant challenge: graduates earn roughly $6,000 less than the California median for this field, placing them in just the 40th percentile statewide. While $34,053 after one year isn't terrible compared to national figures (43rd percentile), it's notably below what other California State University campuses deliver—Sacramento and Fresno graduates in this program earn $10,000+ more annually. That earnings gap is particularly meaningful since California's cost of living often demands higher salaries.

The silver lining here is debt management. At $16,399, graduates carry about $10,000 less debt than the national median and slightly below the California average. The 0.48 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates need less than half their first year's salary to cover their loans—manageable territory. For a campus serving 47% Pell-eligible students, keeping debt this controlled matters considerably.

The practical reality: this program offers affordable access to healthcare careers but may not position graduates as competitively as other CSU options nearby. If your child is choosing between CSU campuses for health sciences, the numbers suggest looking at Sacramento, Fresno, or East Bay for better earning potential. However, if Channel Islands offers significant location advantages or your family prioritizes minimizing debt, the lower borrowing requirements make this a defensible choice—just understand the likely earnings tradeoff.