California State University-Channel Islands — ROI, Cost & Payback
California State University-Channel Islands charges a net price of $9,849/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $39,396. Graduates earn a median $62,152 ten years after entry, $13,792/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 2.9 years — a 20-year net return of $236,444, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
California State University-Channel Islands's 2.9-year payback ranks #160 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 88% of them, and #38 of 334 in California.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $9,849/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $39,396 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $62,152 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $13,792/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $15,000 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 2.9 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $236,444 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on California State University-Channel Islands's own numbers. Net price $9,849 × 4 years = $39,396 total. Median earnings $62,152 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $13,792 a year of premium. $39,396 ÷ $13,792 = 2.9 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $236,444. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do California State University-Channel Islands students graduate with?
A median $15,000 in federal loans among completers, or 24% of the $62,152 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of California State University-Channel Islands students graduate?
51% finish their degree — 49% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $39,396 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $77,247 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is California State University-Channel Islands expensive compared with other California colleges?
Its $9,849 net price runs $10,056 below the $19,905 median across the 334 California colleges we profile, and $40,224 less across the full degree.