Outcomes-based program rankings.
Program outcomes at California State University-Northridge vary significantly by field of study, with engineering and business programs typically delivering the highest earnings while liberal arts and social service fields emphasize different career pathways. The rankings below evaluate programs based on graduate earnings, debt levels, and return on investment using federal employment data.
Analyzing 47 programs with available earnings data.
These highlights surface programs that stand out for national rankings, earnings performance, and substantial enrollment across the university's diverse academic portfolio.
#21 nationally
$76K 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 graduate earnings, national and state rankings, cohort size, and value scores.
These sections represent the complete set of ranked undergraduate programs at California State University-Northridge.
This cluster represents the university's highest-earning programs, with Mechanical Engineering graduates earning $87,847 and ranking #38 nationally. Strong cohort sizes demonstrate consistent student demand and employer recognition.
These programs excel in translating technical education into immediate career value, with graduates well-positioned for California's robust engineering employment market. Best suited for students prioritizing maximum earnings potential and technical career preparation.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science. | #55 | $107,813 |
These rankings reflect post-graduation employment outcomes using federal College Scorecard data, which tracks graduate earnings and employment patterns. Programs at the same institution show different outcomes because career markets vary significantly by field—engineering and business typically command higher starting salaries while education and social service fields emphasize different career rewards. Rankings reflect labor market results rather than program quality or prestige, helping students understand financial realities alongside academic interests. Cohort sizes indicate both program scale and data confidence, with larger cohorts providing more reliable outcome estimates. Value scores combine earnings, debt, and completion rates to assess overall program return on investment.
Median earnings 10 years post-enrollment
Debt burden relative to earnings
Institutional contribution to outcomes
recent graduates
| — |
| 160 |
| Electrical and Electronics Engineering. | #29 | $98,169 | — | 85 |
| Construction Engineering Technology/Technician.Small sample | #12 | $95,243 | — | 18 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | #41 | $87,847 | — | 226 |
| Civil Engineering, General. | #16 | $81,967 | — | 141 |
| Artificial Intelligence. | #88 | $73,663 | — | 102 |
| Computer Engineering, General. | #127 | $71,015 | — | 41 |
Business programs show strong performance across multiple specializations, from Accounting Technology ($79,922 earnings, #27 nationally) to Digital Marketing ($57,487 earnings, #62 nationally). The portfolio combines high-earning specialized programs with broadly accessible general business education.
Large cohort sizes in Business Administration (740 graduates) demonstrate institutional strength and employer pipeline development. Ideal for students seeking versatile career preparation with strong earning potential.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping. | #28 | $79,922★ | — | 304 |
| Banking and Financial Support Services. | #85 | $60,743 | — | 402 |
| Digital Marketing. | #59 | $57,487 | — | 384 |
| Business Administration and Management, General. | #125 | $57,122 | — | 740 |
| Brewery/Brewpub Operations/Management. | #20 | $48,580 | — | 46 |
Health programs demonstrate exceptional performance, with Clinical Research Coordinator ranking #8 nationally and #1 in California while producing graduates earning $56,371. Behavioral Aspects of Health ranks #17 nationally with earnings of $54,285 and substantial enrollment (358 graduates), indicating strong institutional reputation and student outcomes.
These programs excel for students seeking healthcare careers with strong employment stability and growth prospects.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult Health Nurse/Nursing. | #21 | $110,342★ | — | 90 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions, Other. | #4 | $97,379 | — | 39 |
| Audiology/Audiologist and Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist. | #25 | $57,193 | — | 90 |
| Clinical Research Coordinator. | #12 | $56,371 | — | 195 |
| Behavioral Aspects of Health. | #17 | $54,285 | — | 358 |
Biology stands out with graduates earning $57,875 while ranking #26 nationally and #6 in California, demonstrating competitive outcomes in a traditionally moderate-earning field. The program combines strong academic preparation with solid career prospects, particularly for students continuing to graduate study or entering healthcare-adjacent fields.
Well-suited for students balancing academic interests with career practicality in scientific fields.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Algebra and Number Theory. | #122 | $59,660★ | — | 52 |
| Biology, General. | #27 | $57,875 | — | 282 |
| Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. | #74 | $45,453 | — | 24 |
| Analytical Chemistry. | #128 | $44,874 | — | 32 |
Applied Sociology leads this cluster with strong national ranking (#45) and competitive earnings of $46,758 relative to the field. Psychology, the university's largest program with 804 graduates, provides broad career preparation with earnings of $43,423.
American Government and Politics offers earnings of $48,763 for students interested in public service pathways. Best for students prioritizing social impact alongside reasonable financial outcomes.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Administration, Other. | #1 🏆 | $76,049★ | — | 41 |
| Applied Economics. | #113 | $63,401 | — | 118 |
| Urban Studies/Affairs. | #8 | $63,319 | — | 22 |
| Geographic Information Science and Cartography. | #8 | $54,884 | — | 33 |
| American Government and Politics (United States). | #145 | $48,763 | — | 185 |
| Applied/Public Sociology. | #48 | $46,758 | — | 531 |
| Psychology, General. | #96 | $43,423 | — | 804 |
| Anthropology, General. | #82 | $35,354 | — | 64 |
Digital Communication and Media ranks #23 nationally and #4 in California, producing graduates earning $40,021 with strong industry recognition. Communication and Media Studies delivers earnings of $48,684 with solid national standing (#70), reflecting diverse career pathways in media, marketing, and corporate communications.
Strong for students interested in evolving digital media industries with creative and analytical career applications.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Communication and Media Studies, Other. | #73 | $48,684★ | — | 369 |
| Broadcast Journalism. | #53 | $44,925 | — | 134 |
| Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia. | #25 | $40,021 | — | 396 |
General Studies performs exceptionally well with earnings of $48,865 and #33 national ranking, demonstrating strong outcomes for interdisciplinary education. Art History shows competitive performance (#42 nationally) with earnings of $36,547, reflecting solid preparation for creative and cultural sector careers.
These programs serve students seeking broad intellectual development with practical career application across diverse fields.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Studies. | #36 | $48,865★ | — | 320 |
| American History (United States). | #101 | $44,147 | — | 75 |
| English Language and Literature, General. | #98 | $42,497 | — | 165 |
| Applied and Professional Ethics. | #51 | $42,022 | — | 29 |
| Applied Linguistics. | #54 | $40,462 | — | 26 |
| Catalan Language and Literature. | #134 | $39,961 | — | 24 |
| Art History, Criticism and Conservation. | #50 | $36,547 | — | 296 |
| Acting. | #29 | $32,538 | — | 53 |
| Brass Instruments. | #55 | $32,473 | — | 125 |
| Buddhist Studies.Small sample | #20 | $17,846 | — | 18 |
Corrections Administration shows lower earnings performance ($34,870) but maintains substantial enrollment (315 graduates), indicating continued student interest in public service careers. The program emphasizes service-oriented career preparation over maximum earnings potential, serving students committed to criminal justice and corrections work.
Best suited for students prioritizing public service mission over financial outcomes.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corrections Administration. | #171 | $34,870 | — | 315 |
Exercise Science and Kinesiology demonstrates solid performance with earnings of $44,385 and #67 national ranking, serving students interested in health, fitness, and sports-related careers. African-American/Black Studies provides earnings of $39,004 with strong academic preparation for diverse career paths including education, social services, and cultural organizations.
These programs serve students with specialized interests and career pathways.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exercise Science and Kinesiology. | #67 | $44,385★ | $10,000 | 443 |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General. | #6 | $41,718 | — | 184 |
| African-American/Black Studies. | #26 | $39,004 | — | 260 |
| African Studies.Small sample | #63 | $26,793 | — | 17 |
Resources, cohort size, and graduation rates
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.
