Outcomes-based program rankings.
Program outcomes at California State University-Los Angeles vary significantly by field of study, ranging from high-earning professional programs to service-oriented disciplines. The rankings below evaluate programs based on graduate earnings, debt levels, and return on investment rather than prestige or reputation.
Use this page to compare how different majors perform in the labor market and align with your career and financial goals.
Analyzing 40 programs with available earnings data.
These highlights showcase programs that demonstrate exceptional performance across earnings, national rankings, and student enrollment.
#6 nationally
$58K median earnings
This bar shows the range of median earnings across all majors at this school.
The tables below compare programs in each category by earnings, rank, debt, and cohort size.
These sections represent the complete set of ranked undergraduate programs at California State University-Los Angeles.
Engineering and technology programs deliver strong earnings outcomes that position graduates for technical careers. Electrical and Electronics Engineering produces $91,800 median earnings and ranks #19 nationally, while Computer Science generates $77,836 with solid national positioning.
Artificial Intelligence represents an emerging field with moderate earnings of $62,551. These programs are best suited for students prioritizing technical skills and strong long-term earning potential in growing industries.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering. | #24 |
Program rankings reflect post-graduation labor market outcomes using federal College Scorecard data, not academic prestige or institutional reputation. Earnings represent median income of graduates working full-time ten years after enrollment, while value scores incorporate debt levels and expected returns. Rankings compare programs nationally within specific majors, explaining why programs at the same institution can have vastly different performance levels. Cohort sizes indicate the number of graduates included in earnings calculations, with larger cohorts providing higher confidence in reported outcomes. All data requires minimum cohort sizes to ensure privacy and statistical reliability.
Median earnings 10 years post-enrollment
Debt burden relative to earnings
Institutional contribution to outcomes
Resources, cohort size, and graduation rates
recent graduates
| $96,014★ |
| — |
| 52 |
| Civil Engineering. | #11 | $94,760 | — | 73 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | #14 | $93,028 | — | 130 |
| Computer Science. | #14 | $87,525 | — | 149 |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians. | #2 | $86,970 | — | 35 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | #22 | $69,022 | — | 96 |
Business Administration represents Cal State LA's largest program with 1,131 graduates earning $54,478 median salaries. The program ranks #105 nationally with a solid value score of 69.3, reflecting strong outcomes for the scale of enrollment.
This field provides accessible entry into business careers with reasonable earning potential, making it well-suited for students seeking broad professional opportunities in the Los Angeles business environment.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | #25 | $62,716 | — | 726 |
Health programs at Cal State LA demonstrate exceptional earning potential and value performance. Adult Health Nurse/Nursing leads the institution with $103,598 median earnings and ranks #26 nationally, while other health programs show strong outcomes in the $40,000-$45,000 range.
This group spans both high-return professional nursing and more accessible health-related fields, making it well-suited for students seeking strong economic returns or meaningful service careers in healthcare.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | #6 | $116,182★ | — | 158 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | #1 🏆 | $57,695 | — | 46 |
| Public Health. | #13 | $56,466 | — | 174 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. | #12 | $53,857 | — | 126 |
Sciences & Mathematics graduates earn 62K on average, with 1 program ranking in the national Top 10.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics. | #18 | $70,677★ | — | 40 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology. | #7 | $67,441 | — | 43 |
| Microbiological Sciences and Immunology.Small sample | #12 | $65,366 | — | 17 |
| Biology, General. | #34 | $53,908 | — | 123 |
| Chemistry. | #33 | $51,747 | — | 24 |
Social science programs show varied outcomes, with Applied/Public Sociology delivering $45,937 earnings and ranking #39 nationally with strong value performance. American Government and Politics produces $45,693 earnings, while Psychology shows lower outcomes at $37,567.
These programs serve students prioritizing social impact and public service, though earnings vary significantly by specific field and career pathway.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Social Work. | #4 | $59,545★ | — | 227 |
| Political Science and Government. | #31 | $56,063 | — | 112 |
| Economics.Small sample | #37 | $54,998 | — | 16 |
| Sociology. | #20 | $50,249 | — | 350 |
| Psychology, General. | #32 | $37,567 | — | 343 |
| Geography and Cartography.Small sample | — | $33,993 | — | 6 |
| Anthropology. | #33 | $25,194 | — | 36 |
Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia produces $33,442 median earnings with 154 graduates annually, ranking #41 nationally in this specialized field. While earnings are modest, the program serves students interested in creative and digital media careers in the Los Angeles entertainment and media market, where networking and portfolio development often matter more than immediate salary levels.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication. | #11 | $39,867 | — | 108 |
General Studies represents this category with $39,472 median earnings and 180 graduates annually. The program provides flexible academic preparation for diverse career paths, though earnings remain moderate compared to professional programs.
This field is best suited for students prioritizing broad liberal arts education and diverse career exploration over immediate high earnings.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | #7 | $59,904★ | — | 138 |
| History. | #29 | $55,413 | — | 50 |
| Philosophy.Small sample | #16 | $53,127 | — | 17 |
| English Language and Literature, General. | #22 | $52,259 | — | 78 |
| Fine and Studio Arts. | #13 | $40,783 | — | 183 |
| Music. | #25 | $39,120 | — | 28 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics. | #30 | $35,591 | — | 26 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft. | #23 | $35,097 | — | 35 |
Adult and Continuing Education demonstrates strong performance with $42,024 median earnings and ranks #41 nationally, #4 in California. The program's value score of 81.7 indicates excellent return on investment for this service-oriented field.
This program is well-suited for students seeking meaningful careers in adult education and professional development, with competitive earnings for the education sector.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | #3 | $50,444 | — | 391 |
Food Science and Technology. leads agriculture & environment with 53K in median earnings.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food Science and Technology.Small sample | — | $52,806 | — | 8 |
Corrections Administration stands out with exceptional performance, ranking #31 nationally and delivering $50,806 median earnings with a value score of 84.3. The program graduates 307 students annually, representing significant enrollment in this specialized field.
This program is well-suited for students seeking public service careers with competitive earnings and strong job security in law enforcement and corrections.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | #12 | $54,695★ | — | 348 |
| Fire Protection. | — | $39,729 | — | 32 |
Other & Interdisciplinary graduates earn 48K on average, with 2 programs ranking in the national Top 10.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies. | #9 | $55,970★ | — | 36 |
| Nutrition Sciences. | #7 | $52,797 | — | 61 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness. | #25 | $44,930 | — | 242 |
| Natural Sciences. | — | $39,870 | — | 68 |
Trajectory from early to mid-career
Why rankings may differ by program: A university's nursing program and business program can have entirely different outcome profiles. Our methodology surfaces these differences so you can evaluate programs — not just institutions.
