Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks California State University-Channel Islands #150 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $9,221 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing California State University-Channel Islands in the 84.6 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks California State University-Channel Islands #689 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. --- Students at California State University-Channel Islands earn more than similar students at comparable institutions, a signal that the university's outcomes hold up well relative to its peer group in the Azimuth coverage set. Graduates earn median $59,304 four years after enrollment, and the institution's return on investment ranking reflects a consistent pattern of financial outcomes that outpace what the program mix and student profile would predict.
California State University-Channel Islands prices its degrees accessibly across the income spectrum. Low-income families pay approximately $6,857 per year in net price, middle-income families see annual costs around $9,083, and higher-income families pay approximately $20,473. Azimuth ranks California State University-Channel Islands #84 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Need-based aid plays a meaningful role in shaping what families actually pay. As a California State University campus, California State University-Channel Islands participates in federal Pell Grants, Cal Grants, and institutional aid programs that together reduce the gap between the published cost of attendance of $23,561 and what most students pay out of pocket. Families applying through the FAFSA can access the full range of federal and state aid, and lower-income households typically see the largest reductions from sticker price. For a fuller picture of how net price and sticker price can differ substantially, the gap between published cost and net price is worth examining carefully before drawing conclusions about affordability. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $15,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $22,033; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $59,304, median federal debt of $15,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $169 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
California State University-Channel Islands is a strong fit for students in CA who want an accessible public university with a clear path to solid post-graduation earnings, particularly those drawn to Psychology and related applied fields. Graduates earn about $9,221 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing California State University-Channel Islands in the 84.6 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions — a meaningful signal for students focused on long-term financial outcomes relative to what their background and field of study would predict elsewhere. The institution enrolls a substantial share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students — 46.6% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 50.7% are first-generation — and delivers completion outcomes that make it a credible option for cost-sensitive families seeking a regional public university with genuine upward-mobility potential. Median student debt at graduation is $15,000, and the admission rate of 94.8% means the school is broadly accessible to most qualified applicants. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the program portfolio is concentrated in Psychology and adjacent fields, so students whose interests align with those areas will find the strongest outcomes, while those seeking engineering-heavy or highly specialized technical programs may find a better match elsewhere.
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
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the California State University-Channel Islands hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Azimuth ranks California State University-Channel Islands #150 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions, in the 89.9 percentile. The current structured profile shows retention at 72.4% and a six-year graduation rate of 51.3%. Return on investment ranks #689, with graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $59,304. Graduates earn about $9,221 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 84.6 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Affordability sits in the 94.2 percentile; published cost of attendance is $23,561, and the middle-income net price is $9,083. Access sits in the 75.9 percentile, with 46.6% receiving Pell Grants and 50.7% first-generation.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
California State University-Channel Islands prices its degrees accessibly across the income spectrum. Low-income families pay approximately $6,857 per year in net price, middle-income families see annual costs around $9,083, and higher-income families pay approximately $20,473.
Azimuth ranks California State University-Channel Islands #84 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Need-based aid plays a meaningful role in shaping what families actually pay. As a California State University campus, California State University-Channel Islands participates in federal Pell Grants, Cal Grants, and institutional aid programs that together reduce the gap between the published cost of attendance of $23,561 and what most students pay out of pocket.
Families applying through the FAFSA can access the full range of federal and state aid, and lower-income households typically see the largest reductions from sticker price. For a fuller picture of how [net price and sticker price can differ substantially](/analysis/is-college-worth-it-part-1-the-net-price-illusion/), the gap between published cost and net price is worth examining carefully before drawing conclusions about affordability.
Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $15,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $22,033; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $59,304, median federal debt of $15,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $169 under standard ten-year repayment.
For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of California State University-Channel Islands earn median 4-year earnings of $59,304, placing California State University-Channel Islands in the 39.4 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $9,221 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 84.6 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks California State University-Channel Islands #689 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Program outcomes vary by major.
Psychology, General reports 356 graduates and median 4-year earnings of $48,789, ranked #154 nationally in its major. Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General reports 236 graduates and median 4-year earnings of $58,396, ranked #28 nationally in its major.
Business Administration, Management and Operations reports 215 graduates and median 4-year earnings of $71,183, ranked #110 nationally in its major. Sociology reports 127 graduates and median 4-year earnings of $56,855, ranked #45 nationally in its major.
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing
100 graduates
Computer Science
66 graduates
Applied Economics
13 graduates
Business Administration and Management, General
215 graduates
Algebra and Number Theory
36 graduates
California State University-Channel Islands's program mix is centered on Psychology, which accounts for 11% of graduates — a concentration that shapes the institution's overall earnings profile. Social Sciences represents 10% of degrees and Education accounts for 4%, rounding out a portfolio weighted toward social-science and applied fields.
Across 25 programs serving roughly 1,894 students annually, 19 meet Azimuth's ranking threshold — a focused set that reflects the university's regional teaching mission. Psychology, General anchors the institution's strongest combination of cohort scale and earnings.
Among the largest programs, Psychology, General program graduates 356 students and delivers median earnings of $48,789 four years after enrollment, while The Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General program graduates 236 students with median earnings of $58,396. Business Administration (215 graduates, $71,183) and Sociology (127 graduates, $56,855) add further breadth.
Azimuth ranks Psychology, General #155 nationally for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The highest four-year earnings come from Nursing, where graduates earn $112,691 — Azimuth ranks the program #47 nationally for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Computer Science follows at $100,887, and Business Administration graduates earn $71,183. Several of the psychology-adjacent and social-science programs are grad-school-dependent pathways where four-year earnings undercount lifetime trajectory, while applied fields like Nursing and Computer Science reflect more direct labor-market outcomes.
The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how these fields align with regional and national hiring patterns. ```
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lamar University Similar quality tier (#4321 ranked) | TX | 86% | $49,652 | #4321 | Compare |
University Of Houston-Clear Lake Similar quality tier (#4318 ranked) | TX | 91% | $59,004 | #4318 | Compare |
University Of Maryland-Baltimore County Similar quality tier (#4329 ranked) | MD | 72% | $69,960 | #4329 | Compare |
The University Of Texas At Tyler Similar quality tier (#4332 ranked) | TX | 94% | $57,053 | #4332 | Compare |
Central Connecticut State University Similar quality tier (#4336 ranked) | CT | 73% | $58,562 | #4336 | Compare |
