Analysis
California's statistics programs show enormous variation—from UC Berkeley's $83,000 starting salaries down to UC Davis at $49,000—making peer-program comparisons particularly challenging. Based on similar statistics programs across California, CSUN graduates would likely earn around $55,000 in their first year with roughly $17,000 in debt. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.31 is manageable by any standard, suggesting students could reasonably pay down their loans within a few years of graduation.
What makes this estimate especially uncertain is where CSUN actually falls in that wide California range. The projected $55,000 matches the state median exactly, placing it theoretically between UCLA and UC Davis. However, comparable CSU programs like San Diego State report actual earnings of $58,000, which could mean the estimate is conservative. With 56% of students on Pell grants, CSUN serves a different population than the UCs that dominate the top of the rankings, yet the debt figure remains notably lower than the national median of $20,000.
The financial fundamentals look sound based on peer programs—low debt paired with solid mid-range earnings in a field with strong job prospects. But given the $34,000 spread between the highest and lowest California programs, parents should recognize this estimate offers less certainty than usual. If your child is choosing between CSUN and a UC with reported outcomes, use those actual numbers rather than these projections.
Where California State University-Northridge Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all statistics bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in California
Statistics bachelors's programs at peer institutions in California (19 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 California State University-NorthridgeNorthridge | $7,095 | $55,110* | — | $17,253* | — |
 University of California-BerkeleyBerkeley | $14,850 | $83,227* | $102,151 | $16,165* | 0.19 |
 University of California-Los AngelesLos Angeles | $13,747 | $59,718* | $77,720 | $17,005* | 0.28 |
 San Diego State UniversitySan Diego | $8,290 | $57,734* | — | $16,047* | 0.28 |
 University of California-Santa BarbaraSanta Barbara | $14,965 | $55,110* | $81,375 | $17,500* | 0.32 |
 University of California-DavisDavis | $15,247 | $49,264* | $80,650 | $15,000* | 0.30 |
| National Median | — | $59,718* | — | $20,150* | 0.34 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with statistics graduates
Natural Sciences Managers
Clinical Research Coordinators
Water Resource Specialists
Actuaries
Data Scientists
Business Intelligence Analysts
Clinical Data Managers
Mathematicians
Statisticians
Biostatisticians
Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Survey Researchers
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.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 7 similar programs in CA. Actual outcomes may vary.