Programs & majors brief
California State University-San Marcos Majors & Programs
Which majors earn the most at CSUSM?
32 of 32 programs shown
Each bar is a field’s median. Program size counts degrees awarded, not unique people or the earnings sample.
Compare all matching programs
| Program | Degrees awarded | 4-yr earnings | Field rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 318 | $120,196 | #20 |
| Computer Science | 127 | $97,827 | #102 |
| Economics | 43 | $83,339 | #96 |
| Biotechnology | 32 | $76,622 | #6 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | 71 | $71,068 | #5 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 532 | $70,900 | #103 |
| Biology, General | 196 | $70,789 | #40 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | 35 | $65,479 | #54 |
| Social Sciences, General | 30 | $63,622 | #9 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 126 | $61,252 | #45 |
| Communication and Media Studies | 204 | $59,842 | #67 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 174 | $58,289 | #41 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | 50 | $55,903 | #64 |
| Criminology | 273 | $55,418 | #14 |
| Psychology, General | 325 | $55,196 | #82 |
| English Language and Literature, General | 56 | $54,985 | #78 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | 192 | $53,568 | #16 |
| Sociology | 283 | $53,287 | #62 |
| History | 69 | $52,985 | #93 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 118 | $51,445 | #71 |
| Political Science and Government | 65 | $50,857 | #243 |
| Anthropology | 23 | $49,848 | #50 |
| Visual and Performing Arts, General | 76 | $48,043 | #6 |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies small degree count | 6 | Too few graduates to report | — |
| Computer Engineering | 32 | Too few graduates to report | — |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 23 | Too few graduates to report | — |
| Mathematics | 22 | Too few graduates to report | — |
| International/Globalization Studies small degree count | 15 | Too few graduates to report | — |
| Physics small degree count | 13 | Too few graduates to report | — |
| Chemistry small degree count | 9 | Too few graduates to report | — |
| Fire Protection | 21 | Too few graduates to report | — |
| Music small degree count | 5 | Too few graduates to report | — |
Program data and definitions · How to evaluate program rankings
What are the largest programs at CSUSM?
Counts describe degrees awarded in the reporting period, not current enrollment. Program data and definitions
How do CSUSM majors rank nationally?
National program rankings
- Communication Disorders Sciences and Services#5
- Biotechnology#6
- Visual and Performing Arts, General#6
- Social Sciences, General#9
- Criminology#14
- Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services#16
- Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing#20
- Biology, General#40
- Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities#41
- Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness#45
- Anthropology#50
Programs ranked in the national top 50, supplemented by the largest ranked programs when needed to show ten. Fewer appear when fewer ranks are reported. Each rank compares bachelor’s programs in the same field; field sizes differ.
Further analysis
Azimuth evaluates programs by four-year earnings among completers, debt and cohort size rather than reputation, and the results differ by field at California State University-San Marcos. 23 programs carry published earnings data, and 23 hold an Azimuth national rank.
Social Sciences accounts for 20.1% of bachelor's degrees awarded, with Business at 14.9% and Health Professions at 10.9%. Communication Disorders Sciences and Services ranks #5 nationally, with median earnings of $71,068 four years after completion.
Visual and Performing Arts ranks #6, with median earnings of $48,043 four years after completion. Program earnings cover federally aided completers.
Nursing reports the highest four-year earnings, at $120,196, from 318 degrees awarded.
Data & methodology
Sources and reporting periods: methodology.
Analysis and methodology by Daniel Rogers, founder of College Azimuth.
Explanatory text is AI-assisted drafting checked against those figures; it is not an additional data source.
Figure notes link to sources and limitations. About College Azimuth.