The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPluscompares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.
Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Take one part Massachussets' superior private universities and another part New York's excellent public college and university network, mix it in a beaker, and you got yourself California. Two networks of public universities - California State and University of California - offer the most affordable and convenient access to public education in the west (and arguably the country). While California State universities tend to be more vocationally driven, University of California unis - with crown jewels Berkeley, UCLA, and USC - are more research driven with more robust graduate offerings. And of course, Stanford is one of the country's top private universities.
Net cost: The median annual cost of all students that receive any aid. This does not refer to the “sticker price”, the price listed by the college.
Earnings: The median earnings of all bachelor-level students 10 years after enrollment. This includes both students that do and do not graduate, across all majors.
Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.
EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.
Rankings: The ranking order is based on the economic score.The economic score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better.
The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:Under a year
Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.
Earnings:$97,798
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: + $22,872
EarningsPluscompares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.
Admission rate:4%
Graduation rate:96%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.
#2 in California
California State University, Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California
Economic score:0.66
The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:Under a year
Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.
Earnings:$51,997
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: - $4,271
EarningsPluscompares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.
Admission rate:91%
Graduation rate:69%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.
#3 in California|#9 in National Universities
California Institute of Technology
Pasadena, California
Economic score:0.79
The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:1.3 years
Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.
Earnings:$112,166
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: + $49,768
EarningsPluscompares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.
Admission rate:4%
Graduation rate:94%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.
#4 in California
California State University, Dominguez Hills
Carson, California
Economic score:0.89
The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:Under a year
Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.
Earnings:$47,340
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: - $2,108
EarningsPluscompares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.
Admission rate:90%
Graduation rate:66%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.
#5 in California|#11 in National Universities
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, California
Economic score:0.94
The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:1.2 years
Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.
Earnings:$80,364
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: + $18,102
EarningsPluscompares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.
Admission rate:14%
Graduation rate:94%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.
#6 in California|#1 in Liberal Arts
Harvey Mudd College
Claremont, California
Economic score:1.05
The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:1.7 years
Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.
Earnings:$108,988
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: + $47,914
EarningsPluscompares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.
Admission rate:10%
Graduation rate:92%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.
#7 in California|#16 in National Universities
University of California, Irvine
Irvine, California
Economic score:1.10
The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:1.1 years
Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.
Earnings:$71,961
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: + $141
EarningsPluscompares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.
Admission rate:29%
Graduation rate:87%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.
#8 in California
California State University, Stanislaus
Turlock, California
Economic score:1.12
The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:1.1 years
Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.
Earnings:$53,964
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: - $1,133
EarningsPluscompares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.
Admission rate:95%
Graduation rate:72%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.
#9 in California|#2 in Liberal Arts
Claremont McKenna College
Claremont, California
Economic score:1.12
The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:1.5 years
Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.
Earnings:$86,571
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: + $19,350
EarningsPluscompares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.
Admission rate:11%
Graduation rate:91%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.
#10 in California|#21 in National Universities
University of California, Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California
Economic score:1.16
The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:1.3 years
Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.
Earnings:$73,744
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: + $5,913
EarningsPluscompares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.
Admission rate:11%
Graduation rate:92%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.
#11 in California|#24 in National Universities
California State University, Fresno
Fresno, California
Economic score:1.22
The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:1.1 years
Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.
Earnings:$52,201
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: - $3,467
EarningsPluscompares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.
Admission rate:97%
Graduation rate:71%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.
#12 in California
California State University Maritime Academy
Vallejo, California
Economic score:1.25
The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:1.4 years
Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.
Earnings:$91,461
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: + $10,234
EarningsPluscompares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.
Admission rate:82%
Graduation rate:69%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.
#13 in California|#25 in National Universities
California State University, Fullerton
Fullerton, California
Economic score:1.29
The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:1.3 years
Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.
Earnings:$54,586
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: + $292
EarningsPluscompares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.
Admission rate:59%
Graduation rate:79%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.
#14 in California|#27 in National Universities
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, California
Economic score:1.30
The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:1.3 years
Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.
Earnings:$74,771
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: + $1,770
EarningsPluscompares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.
Admission rate:34%
Graduation rate:89%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.
#15 in California
California State University, Bakersfield
Bakersfield, California
Economic score:1.41
The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:1.3 years
Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.
Earnings:$52,606
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: - $3,985
EarningsPluscompares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.
Admission rate:85%
Graduation rate:59%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.
#16 in California|#6 in Liberal Arts
Pomona College
Claremont, California
Economic score:1.42
The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:1.7 years
Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.
Earnings:$69,149
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: + $15,802
EarningsPluscompares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.
Admission rate:7%
Graduation rate:95%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.
#17 in California|#37 in National Universities
University of California, Davis
Davis, California
Economic score:1.46
The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:1.5 years
Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.
Earnings:$69,766
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: + $3,007
EarningsPluscompares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.
Admission rate:49%
Graduation rate:89%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.
#18 in California|#40 in National Universities
California State University, East Bay
Hayward, California
Economic score:1.48
The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:1.7 years
Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.
Earnings:$60,920
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: + $7,554
EarningsPluscompares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.
Admission rate:82%
Graduation rate:70%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.
#19 in California|#41 in National Universities
California State University, Long Beach
Long Beach, California
Economic score:1.49
The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:1.5 years
Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.
Earnings:$57,123
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: - $1,185
EarningsPluscompares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.
Admission rate:47%
Graduation rate:82%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.
#20 in California|#42 in National Universities
University of California, Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, California
Economic score:1.50
The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.
The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.
Payback:1.7 years
Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.
Earnings:$66,491
Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.
EarningsPlus: + $5,736
EarningsPluscompares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.
Admission rate:29%
Graduation rate:86%
Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.
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