Outcomes-based program rankings.
Program outcomes at San Jose State vary significantly by field of study, reflecting both market demand and the institution's location in Silicon Valley. The rankings below evaluate programs based on graduate earnings, debt levels, and return on investment rather than reputation or prestige.
Analyzing 35 programs with available earnings data.
These highlights identify programs that demonstrate exceptional outcomes across earnings, national rankings, and value creation.
#16 nationally
$62K median earnings
Computer Science leads institutional earnings at $136,471, followed closely by Adult Health Nursing at $130,227 and Computer Engineering at $127,047. Engineering programs consistently rank among top earners, with Electrical Engineering at $123,144, Civil Engineering at $96,098, and Mechanical Engineering at $95,510. These outcomes reflect Silicon Valley's premium wages for technical skills and healthcare professionals.
Several San Jose State programs rank among the nation's best in their fields. Adult Health Nursing (#2 nationally), Civil Engineering (#2 nationally), Computer Engineering (#3 nationally), and Corrections Administration (#3 nationally) lead institutional rankings. Psychology (#8 nationally), Exercise Science (#7 nationally), and Biology (#7 nationally) also demonstrate top-10 performance. These rankings reflect both program quality and favorable Bay Area labor market conditions that reward technical and healthcare skills.
This bar shows the range of median earnings across all majors at this school.
The tables below compare programs in each category by earnings, national rank, debt capacity, and enrollment size.
These sections represent the complete set of ranked undergraduate programs at San Jose State University.
San Jose State's engineering programs rank among the nation's best, with Computer Science (#17 nationally), Computer Engineering (#3 nationally), and Civil Engineering (#2 nationally). These programs benefit from Silicon Valley proximity, producing graduates earning $95,000-$136,000 with exceptional value scores above 90.
The location advantage creates premium earning potential, making these programs ideal for students who prioritize maximum return on educational investment and want direct access to technology industry careers.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science. | #16 |
Program rankings reflect post-graduation labor market outcomes based on College Scorecard data, not institutional reputation or academic prestige. Earnings differences reflect both market demand for specific skills and San Jose State's Silicon Valley location, which creates premium opportunities in technology, healthcare, and business fields. Rankings compare programs against the same major at all institutions nationwide, measuring actual graduate earnings rather than input metrics like admission selectivity. Value scores combine earnings outcomes with educational costs to identify programs delivering the strongest return on investment. Cohort sizes indicate program enrollment and data reliability, with larger cohorts providing greater confidence in reported outcomes.
Median earnings 10 years post-enrollment
Debt burden relative to earnings
Institutional contribution to outcomes
recent graduates
Value scores identify programs delivering exceptional return on educational investment. Adult Health Nursing leads with a 99.6 value score, followed by Civil Engineering (99.4), Corrections Administration (99.0), Mechanical Engineering (99.1), and Commercial Photography (99.1). These programs combine strong earnings with controlled educational costs, creating optimal investment returns for students.
All major program categories at San Jose State demonstrate excellent loan affordability, with expected payments under 8% of discretionary income and standard 10-year payoff timelines. Engineering programs show exceptional debt capacity due to high earnings, while programs like Visual Arts require more careful financial planning given lower early-career earnings but still maintain manageable debt service requirements.
| $136,471★ |
| — |
| 163 |
| Computer Engineering, General. | #3 | $127,047 | — | 276 |
| Electrical and Electronics Engineering. | #6 | $123,144 | — | 96 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering, General. | #3 | $99,511 | — | 82 |
| Civil Engineering, General. | #2 | $96,098 | — | 138 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | #3 | $95,510 | — | 193 |
| Chemical Engineering, Other. | #16 | $93,875 | — | 50 |
| Industrial Engineering. | #32 | $81,358 | — | 61 |
| Chemical Engineering Technology/Technician. | #17 | $62,489 | — | 106 |
| Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering. | #90 | $53,358 | — | 66 |
Business Administration represents San Jose State's largest program with 1,548 annual graduates earning $67,641 and ranking #30 nationally. Applied Economics graduates earn similar amounts at $67,079 but rank lower nationally (#75).
The substantial enrollment in business programs reflects both student demand and employer need in the Bay Area's diverse economy. These programs serve students seeking versatile career preparation with solid earning potential across multiple industries.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Executive/Career Coaching.Small sample | #2 | $88,945★ | — | 15 |
| Business Administration and Management, General. | #28 | $67,641 | — | 1,548 |
| Brewery/Brewpub Operations/Management. | #13 | $56,203 | — | 55 |
Adult Health Nursing stands out as San Jose State's top-ranked program nationally (#2) with exceptional median earnings of $130,227 and a 99.6 value score. The Bay Area's high healthcare wages drive premium outcomes for nursing graduates.
This program represents the highest-earning pathway at the institution and ranks as one of the top nursing programs in California, making it ideal for students seeking healthcare careers with exceptional financial returns.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult Health Nurse/Nursing. | #2 | $130,227★ | — | 170 |
| Audiology/Audiologist and Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist. | #70 | $54,107 | — | 37 |
Biology graduates at San Jose State earn $71,804, ranking #7 nationally and #2 in California with a strong 98.4 value score. This exceptional performance reflects the program's quality and the Bay Area's biotechnology industry presence.
The program balances pre-health student preparation with direct workforce entry, making it suitable for students pursuing either graduate study or immediate career entry in life sciences fields.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology, General. | #7 | $71,804 | — | 154 |
Psychology ranks #8 nationally and #2 in California, with graduates earning $55,532 and achieving a 98.0 value score. Applied Sociology performs even better with $61,967 earnings and #7 national ranking.
These strong outcomes reflect the programs' effectiveness in career preparation beyond traditional social services, positioning graduates for success in business, research, and community organizations throughout the diverse Bay Area economy.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Applied Economics. | #76 | $67,079★ | — | 127 |
| Applied/Public Sociology. | #7 | $61,967 | — | 190 |
| Forensic Social Work. | #9 | $58,152 | — | 77 |
| Psychology, General. | #9 | $55,532 | — | 428 |
| American Government and Politics (United States). | #95 | $52,538 | — | 98 |
Communication and Media Studies graduates earn $60,813, ranking #20 nationally and #7 in California with a 92.5 value score. The strong performance reflects the Bay Area's media industry presence and the program's practical career preparation.
This program appeals to students seeking creative communication careers with solid earning potential in advertising, public relations, and digital media industries.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broadcast Journalism. | #2 | $65,175★ | — | 27 |
| Advertising. | #12 | $63,191 | — | 100 |
| Communication and Media Studies, Other. | #20 | $60,813 | — | 273 |
| Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia. | #53 | $39,684 | — | 51 |
Art History graduates earn $40,789 while ranking #29 nationally with an 87.7 value score, demonstrating solid outcomes for a traditionally lower-earning field. Commercial Photography stands out with exceptional $82,682 earnings, ranking #2 nationally and #1 in California.
These programs serve students prioritizing intellectual engagement and creative expression, with Commercial Photography offering particularly strong financial outcomes for students in visual arts fields.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial Photography. | #2 | $82,682★ | — | 153 |
| English Language and Literature, General. | #83 | $46,309 | — | 89 |
| General Studies. | #83 | $44,387 | — | 56 |
| American History (United States). | #161 | $42,682 | — | 48 |
| Art History, Criticism and Conservation. | #33 | $40,789 | — | 280 |
Agriculture & Environment graduates earn 75K on average, with 1 program ranking in the national Top 10.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Environmental Science. | #2 | $75,497 | — | 61 |
Corrections Administration ranks #3 nationally and #1 in California, with graduates earning $60,503 and achieving a 99.0 value score. This exceptional performance reflects both program quality and California's public safety employment opportunities.
The program serves students seeking careers in law enforcement, corrections, and public safety with competitive earning potential and strong job security.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corrections Administration. | #3 | $60,503 | — | 174 |
Exercise Science and Kinesiology ranks #7 nationally and #1 in California, with graduates earning $58,866 and achieving a 97.1 value score. This outstanding performance reflects the program's effectiveness in preparing students for diverse careers in fitness, rehabilitation, and sports industries.
The program serves students interested in health and wellness careers with strong earning potential and broad career flexibility.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aeronautics/Aviation/Aerospace Science and Technology, General. | #7 | $72,295★ | — | 58 |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies. | #1 🏆 | $61,694 | — | 31 |
| Exercise Science and Kinesiology. | #8 | $58,866 | — | 232 |
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.
