Area Studies at California State University-Northridge
Bachelor's Degree
Earnings Distribution
How California State University-Northridge graduates compare to all programs nationally
California State University-Northridge graduates earn $27k, placing them in the 19th percentile of all area studies bachelors programs nationally.
Compare to Similar Programs in California
Area Studies bachelors's programs at peer institutions in California (39 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California State University-Northridge | $26,793 | — | $16,036* | — |
| University of California-Berkeley | $50,728 | $77,557 | $14,972* | 0.30 |
| University of California-Irvine | $30,897 | — | —* | — |
| California State University-Fullerton | $29,316 | $47,728 | $17,500* | 0.60 |
| California State University-Long Beach | $28,591 | $51,163 | $15,697* | 0.55 |
| University of California-Los Angeles | $23,819 | $55,626 | $17,746* | 0.75 |
| National Median | $34,211 | — | $20,552* | 0.60 |
Other Area Studies Programs in California
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across California schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of California-Berkeley Berkeley | $14,850 | $50,728 | $14,972 |
| University of California-Irvine Irvine | $14,237 | $30,897 | — |
| California State University-Fullerton Fullerton | $7,073 | $29,316 | $17,500 |
| California State University-Long Beach Long Beach | $7,008 | $28,591 | $15,697 |
| University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles | $13,747 | $23,819 | $17,746 |
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-Northridge, approximately 56% 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 16 graduates with reported earnings and 15 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.