Management Information Systems and Services at California State University-San Marcos

Cal State San Marcos graduates this program with exceptionally low debt—just $16,170, which lands in the 95th percentile nationally (meaning 95% of comparable programs saddle students with more). That's a major advantage, particularly given that 44% of students here receive Pell grants. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.29 means graduates owe roughly three months of their first-year salary, an extremely manageable burden that few MIS programs can match.

The tradeoff is below-average earnings. At $55,102, graduates trail both the California median ($61,359) and national median ($59,490) for this degree, ranking in just the 40th percentile statewide. While private universities like Santa Clara and National University place graduates above $90,000, those programs typically come with substantially higher debt loads. The gap to mid-tier state schools like Cal State Northridge ($58,733) is narrower and more concerning.

For families prioritizing financial security and minimal debt burden, this program delivers. Graduates enter the workforce without crushing payments hanging over them, and $55,000 provides a solid middle-class starting point in many California markets. However, students with stronger academic profiles or access to comparable aid packages at higher-earning programs should weigh whether the $6,000-13,000 annual earnings gap justifies exploring alternatives within the Cal State system or UC schools.