Design and Applied Arts 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 $37k, placing them in the 65th percentile of all design and applied arts 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
Design and Applied Arts bachelors's programs at peer institutions in California (55 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California State University-Northridge | $36,736 | $41,823 | — | — |
| University of Southern California | $64,846 | $56,391 | $18,262 | 0.28 |
| University of California-Los Angeles | $57,615 | $68,882 | $20,000 | 0.35 |
| Interior Designers Institute | $51,188 | — | $28,655 | 0.56 |
| Art Center College of Design | $47,053 | $71,547 | $31,050 | 0.66 |
| Chapman University | $46,519 | $69,235 | $23,000 | 0.49 |
| National Median | $33,563 | — | $26,880 | 0.80 |
Other Design and Applied Arts Programs in California
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across California schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Southern California Los Angeles | $68,237 | $64,846 | $18,262 |
| University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles | $13,747 | $57,615 | $20,000 |
| Interior Designers Institute Newport Beach | $20,250 | $51,188 | $28,655 |
| Art Center College of Design Pasadena | $51,640 | $47,053 | $31,050 |
| Chapman University Orange | $62,784 | $46,519 | $23,000 |
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.