California State University-Channel Islands
- Graduation Rate
- 52% C-
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $62,152 A-
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $9,849 B
- 43% less than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 95% D
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A B- overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 46.3× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $46.3 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $46.3 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,784,815.
What The Data Says
-
A B- overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
-
Graduates earn 52% more than the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $46.3 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why California State University-Channel Islands Matters
California State University-Channel Islands is a public university in Camarillo, CA and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 5,013
- Setting
- Rural
- Designations
- HSI
- Primary Strengths
- Psychology, Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Social Sciences
Why students choose California State University-Channel Islands
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 95% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $9,849 a year after grants and scholarships — 43% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $62,152 ten years after enrolling — 52% above the typical college, against $15,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 1.62 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
California State University-Channel Islands is a great fit for students looking for a supportive environment where they can explore a range of fields. With an acceptance rate of 95%, it welcomes a diverse group of individuals. Students here often dive into popular programs like Psychology, Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Social Sciences, and Humanities. What stands out is the intimate campus experience, thanks to an enrollment of about 5,000 students, fostering personal connections with peers and faculty.
Life after graduation looks promising for many, with a 10-year earnings average of $62,152. That’s a solid foundation for students entering the workforce. The focus on practical skills in sought-after fields contributes to this. Affordability is also a key factor; the net price after aid is around $9,849, making it a reasonable option for many families. A significant portion of students, about 47%, receive Pell Grants, highlighting the school's commitment to accessibility.
When it comes to finances, the median debt for graduates stands at $15,000, which is manageable compared to many other institutions. Those who tend to thrive here are often those who value a community-oriented atmosphere and are motivated to succeed in their chosen fields. With the right mindset and support, students can navigate their educational journey while preparing for stable careers ahead.
Rankings
- #19 Best Education Colleges in California
- #28 Best Nursing Colleges in California
- #38 Best Communications Colleges in California
- #38 Best Online Education Programs in California
- #43 Best MBA Programs in California
- #48 Best Psychology Colleges in California
- #49 Highest-Paying Colleges for Health Professions
- #49 Best Computer Science Colleges in California
Can I Get In?
How selective California State University-Channel Islands is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into California State University-Channel Islands? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Camarillo, California, California State University-Channel Islands admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 95%. The graduation rate is roughly 52%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 95%
- Retention Rate
- 72%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 54%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $12,682
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 17:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.58
- First-Gen Students
- 51%
- Applicants
- 10,420
- Admitted
- 9,342
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend California State University-Channel Islands? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at California State University-Channel Islands is $19,759, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $9,849. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $6,857 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $15,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $7,159
- Out-of-State
- $19,759
- Avg Net Price
- $9,849
- Median Debt
- $15,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 47%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 24%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $6,857
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $7,083
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $9,083
- Family Income $110K+
- $20,473
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at California State University-Channel Islands — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is California State University-Channel Islands Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of California State University-Channel Islands earn a median of $62,152, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $46,785
- 8 Years
- $55,406
- 10 Years
- $62,152
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.24x
- Earning > $25K
- 63%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (200)
- 22%
- 100% (200)
- 22%
- 100% (200)
- 22%
- 100% (200)
- 22%
How California Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is California State University-Channel Islands Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, California State University-Channel Islands delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $9,849/year ($39,396 total). Graduates earn $62,152 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,824,211 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,784,815 (46.3× your investment). The median debt is $15,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 52% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $39,396
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,824,211
- Net Return
- $1,784,815
- ROI Multiple
- 46.3×
- Cost Per Year
- $9,849
- Median Debt
- $15,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 52%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $4,009,449
- Investment Income
- $-5,983,326
Top Programs
The fields California State University-Channel Islands awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Psychology 20% $34,109 early-career
- Health Professions 16% $106,477 early-career
- Business & Marketing 13% $47,568 early-career
- Social Sciences 9% $69,178 early-career
- Humanities 6% $29,247 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 6% $39,664 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 5% $87,493 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 5% $37,775 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for California State University-Channel Islands's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into California State University-Channel Islands? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Camarillo, California, California State University-Channel Islands admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 95%. The graduation rate is roughly 52%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend California State University-Channel Islands? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at California State University-Channel Islands is $19,759, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $9,849. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $6,857 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $15,000 in federal student loans.
Is California State University-Channel Islands Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of California State University-Channel Islands earn a median of $62,152, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
How Connected Is California State University-Channel Islands? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at California State University-Channel Islands. Its economic connectedness score is 1.62, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to California State University-Channel Islands.
- Sonoma State UniversityRohnert Park, CA · Close peer59% grad $65,986 earn 93% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Rhode Island CollegeProvidence, RI · Close peer47% grad $56,318 earn 92% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Saint Cloud State UniversitySaint Cloud, MN · Close peer44% grad $55,813 earn 95% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- Salem State UniversitySalem, MA · Close peer52% grad $56,662 earn 96% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Worcester State UniversityWorcester, MA · Close peer58% grad $60,624 earn 88% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Houston-Clear LakeHouston, TX · Close peer51% grad $59,004 earn 91% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is California State University-Channel Islands? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at California State University-Channel Islands. Its economic connectedness score is 1.62, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.02), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note