Cal State East Bay combines open access admission (96.8% acceptance) with exceptional economic mobility outcomes. As a Mobility Engine institution, the university produces earnings 93.9th percentile above expectations while serving 43.6% Pell-eligible and 50.9% first-generation students, demonstrating that accessibility and strong outcomes can coexist effectively.
Well above average long-term earnings relative to educational investment
With strong performance, reflecting controlled costs and manageable debt levels relative to outcomes
With top-tier performance, reflecting the university's exceptional ability to convert access into earnings growth for diverse student populations
With top-tier performance, reflecting the university's exceptional ability to convert access into earnings growth for diverse student populations
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Mobility Engine: exceptional access with strong earnings
California State University-East Bay ranks #70 nationally in Azimuth's mobility analysis, with excellent mobility performance at the 95.3rd percentile. Located in Hayward, California, this large public university maintains open access admission standards with a 96.8% acceptance rate while delivering strong post-graduation outcomes.
Cal State East Bay enrolls 43.6% Pell-eligible students and 50.9% first-generation students, placing it well above typical institutions on access measures. The university serves 67.8% transfer students, reflecting its role in providing pathways for community college graduates.
Graduates earn $19,315 beyond expectations relative to similar students, ranking at the 93.9th percentile nationally. Median earnings reach $71,401 ten years after enrollment, placing Cal State East Bay in the 87th percentile for long-term earnings.
Compared to a peer median of $60,543, graduates earn $10,858 more annually. This combination of open admissions, exceptional access, and strong economic outcomes places Cal State East Bay firmly within the Mobility Engine quadrant, where institutions convert educational opportunity into sustained economic advancement.
Cal State East Bay delivers exceptional earnings outcomes relative to student backgrounds and accessibility. Graduates earn a median of $71,401 ten years after enrollment, ranking in the 87th percentile nationally.
Earnings range from $45,094 at the 25th percentile to $103,383 at the 75th percentile, reflecting varied career paths across disciplines with significant upward mobility potential. The institution generates $19,315 in earnings beyond expectations, placing it in the 93.9th percentile nationally on this measure, indicating exceptional value-added performance.
Students seeking economic mobility through accessible higher education, particularly first-generation and Pell-eligible students who benefit from open admissions. Well-suited for working adults and transfer students (67.8%) pursuing career advancement in business, health sciences, or public service fields with strong value outcomes.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
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This is the California State University-East Bay hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/california-state-university-east-bay/analysis.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
California State University-East Bay's published cost of attendance is $22,803 per year, including $7,055 in-state tuition, $16,480 for room and board, and $1,003 for books and supplies. Out-of-state students face higher tuition of $18,935, bringing total costs to $34,683 annually.
However, the average student pays just $11,276 after financial aid, representing savings of $11,527 compared to the sticker price. This average net price falls $4,314 below the peer median of $15,590, indicating Cal State East Bay provides relatively affordable education compared to similar public institutions.
The university demonstrates strong commitment to affordability through substantial financial aid that reduces costs for most students. Net prices vary significantly by family income, ranging from $8,059 for lowest-income students to $20,930 for highest-income families, creating a progressive pricing structure that supports access across economic backgrounds.
With nearly half of students receiving Pell grants, the university serves as an affordable pathway to higher education for lower-income families while maintaining manageable costs for middle-class students. Students should expect meaningful financial aid that makes Cal State East Bay accessible regardless of family economic circumstances.
Cal State East Bay graduates demonstrate substantial earnings growth over time, with outcomes supported by large cohort sizes ensuring statistical reliability. Median earnings rise from $55,546 six years after enrollment to $64,657 at eight years and $71,401 at ten years, representing 28.5% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes are based on cohorts ranging from 4,037 to 4,592 graduates across different time horizons, providing high confidence in the reported figures. Graduates earn $19,315 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing Cal State East Bay in the 93.9th percentile for earnings uplift—a remarkable achievement for an open-access institution.
Low-income graduates earn $55,000, demonstrating the university's effectiveness in supporting economic mobility for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Earnings span from $45,094 at the 25th percentile to $103,383 at the 75th percentile, with the 2.3:1 ratio reflecting meaningful variation in career trajectories.
Approximately 25.7% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education pathways.
California State University-East Bay maintains an open access admission policy, admitting 96.8% of applicants. This means roughly 97 in every 100 applicants receive an offer of admission, making Cal State East Bay one of the most accessible four-year universities in California.
The peer median admission rate of 78.1% highlights that Cal State East Bay is significantly more accessible than typical public institutions, with an admission rate nearly 19 percentage points higher than similar universities. This open access approach reflects the California State University system's mission to provide educational opportunities for students across diverse academic backgrounds and preparation levels.
The university particularly serves as a pathway for community college transfer students, with 67.8% of enrolled students entering as transfers. For prospective students, this means admission decisions focus less on competitive academic metrics and more on meeting basic eligibility requirements.
Students should view Cal State East Bay as a highly accessible option that combines open admission with strong post-graduation outcomes, making it particularly valuable for students seeking economic mobility regardless of their high school academic profile.
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing.
190 graduates
Construction Management, General.
24 graduates
Computer Science.
140 graduates
Business Administration and Management, General.
658 graduates
Communication and Media Studies, Other.
160 graduates
Cal State East Bay offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for ranking, spanning diverse fields from healthcare to business. Adult Health Nurse/Nursing stands out with the #1 national ranking and #1 California ranking, producing 190 graduates with exceptional median earnings of $139,795 and a perfect 100.0 value score.
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences ranks #10 nationally and #1 in California, graduating 319 students with median earnings of $56,148. Adult Development and Aging ranks #4 nationally and #1 in California with 213 graduates earning $53,103.
Business Administration and Management represents the university's largest program, graduating 658 students annually with median earnings of $65,830 and ranking #41 nationally. Psychology ranks #30 nationally and #5 in California, with 345 graduates earning $53,636.
These programs demonstrate the university's strength in health sciences, business, and social sciences while maintaining strong value scores across multiple disciplines.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
The University Of Texas At Dallas Similar quality tier (#70 ranked) | TX | 65% | $68,227 | #70 | Compare |
California State University-San Marcos Similar quality tier in West (#71 ranked) | CA | 96% | $62,908 | #71 | Compare |
New Jersey Institute Of Technology Similar quality tier (#67 ranked) | NJ | 67% | $84,276 | #67 | Compare |
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill Similar quality tier (#75 ranked) | NC | 19% | $72,200 | #75 | Compare |
Florida Atlantic University Similar quality tier (#64 ranked) | FL | 73% | $56,746 | #64 | Compare |
