Location: Fullerton, CA•In-State Tuition: $7,073•Out-of-State Tuition: $18,953•Admission Rate: 87%
Median Earnings (1yr)
$49,830
21st percentile
40th percentile in California
Median Debt
$12,375
47% below national median
D/E Ratio: 0.25 ManageableSample: 46 graduates

Analysis

Cal State Fullerton's Management Sciences program graduates carry significantly less debt than their peers—$12,375 versus a California median of $15,000—but the earnings don't quite match the state average. First-year graduates earn $49,830, landing just below the California median of $55,000 and well behind top state programs like UC Santa Barbara ($66,099) and UC San Diego ($61,000). That 40th percentile ranking among California programs suggests this isn't the strongest quantitative management pathway in the state, though it's far from the weakest.

The real story here is value preservation through low debt. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.25, graduates can pay off their loans in under three months of gross income—among the best ratios you'll find for this major nationally. Nearly half the student body receives Pell grants, and the school clearly prioritizes keeping debt manageable even if it can't compete with the UC system on immediate earnings. For families choosing between Cal State Fullerton and pricier private alternatives offering similar earnings, the math favors Fullerton decisively.

The tradeoff is straightforward: you're looking at roughly $5,000-15,000 less in first-year earnings compared to top California programs, but you're also avoiding thousands in additional debt. For students who plan to leverage this quantitative foundation into graduate school or who value financial flexibility immediately after graduation, that's a reasonable exchange. Just understand you're not getting the earnings ceiling that UC programs deliver in this field.

Where California State University-Fullerton Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all management sciences and quantitative methods bachelors's programs nationally

California State University-FullertonOther management sciences and quantitative methods programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Distribution

How California State University-Fullerton graduates compare to all programs nationally

California State University-Fullerton earns $50k — 21th percentile among management sciences and quantitative methods bachelors programs.

Compare to Similar Programs in California

Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods bachelors's programs at peer institutions in California (15 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
California State University-FullertonFullerton$7,073$49,830—$12,3750.25
University of California-Santa BarbaraSanta Barbara$14,965$66,099$86,107$11,1280.17
University of California-San DiegoLa Jolla$15,265$60,973$71,520$17,5000.29
California Lutheran UniversityThousand Oaks$50,670$57,276—$24,7280.43
University of California-DavisDavis$15,247$52,684—$12,1440.23
San Francisco State UniversitySan Francisco$7,424$48,546$68,908$20,5000.42
National Median—$62,069—$23,2500.37

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with management sciences and quantitative methods graduates

Actuaries

Analyze statistical data, such as mortality, accident, sickness, disability, and retirement rates and construct probability tables to forecast risk and liability for payment of future benefits. May ascertain insurance rates required and cash reserves necessary to ensure payment of future benefits.

$125,770/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Data Scientists

Develop and implement a set of techniques or analytics applications to transform raw data into meaningful information using data-oriented programming languages and visualization software. Apply data mining, data modeling, natural language processing, and machine learning to extract and analyze information from large structured and unstructured datasets. Visualize, interpret, and report data findings. May create dynamic data reports.

$112,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Business Intelligence Analysts

Produce financial and market intelligence by querying data repositories and generating periodic reports. Devise methods for identifying data patterns and trends in available information sources.

$112,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Clinical Data Managers

Apply knowledge of health care and database management to analyze clinical data, and to identify and report trends.

$112,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Chief Executives

Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Chief Sustainability Officers

Communicate and coordinate with management, shareholders, customers, and employees to address sustainability issues. Enact or oversee a corporate sustainability strategy.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

General and Operations Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the operations of public or private sector organizations, overseeing multiple departments or locations. Duties and responsibilities include formulating policies, managing daily operations, and planning the use of materials and human resources, but are too diverse and general in nature to be classified in any one functional area of management or administration, such as personnel, purchasing, or administrative services. Usually manage through subordinate supervisors. Excludes First-Line Supervisors.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Statisticians

Develop or apply mathematical or statistical theory and methods to collect, organize, interpret, and summarize numerical data to provide usable information. May specialize in fields such as biostatistics, agricultural statistics, business statistics, or economic statistics. Includes mathematical and survey statisticians.

$104,350/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Biostatisticians

Develop and apply biostatistical theory and methods to the study of life sciences.

$104,350/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Financial Risk Specialists

Analyze and measure exposure to credit and market risk threatening the assets, earning capacity, or economic state of an organization. May make recommendations to limit risk.

$101,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Management Analysts

Conduct organizational studies and evaluations, design systems and procedures, conduct work simplification and measurement studies, and prepare operations and procedures manuals to assist management in operating more efficiently and effectively. Includes program analysts and management consultants.

$101,190/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Operations Research Analysts

Formulate and apply mathematical modeling and other optimizing methods to develop and interpret information that assists management with decisionmaking, policy formulation, or other managerial functions. May collect and analyze data and develop decision support software, services, or products. May develop and supply optimal time, cost, or logistics networks for program evaluation, review, or implementation.

$91,290/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree
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-Fullerton, 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.