Best Social Sciences, General Degrees in California by ROI
Colleges in California ranked by estimated 20-year net return on investment — calculated from median graduate earnings, total attendance cost, and average student debt. Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Programs in California
19
Colleges with salary data
Average 20-Yr Net ROI
-$218,458
Across California programs
Average Annual Cost
$16,172
Cost of attendance
| # | College | 20-Yr Net ROI | Median Salary | Annual Cost | Avg Debt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Merritt College
Grad rate: 20.9% |
+$191,882 | $53,850 | $22,559 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 2 |
College of San Mateo
Grad rate: 50.6% |
+$54,570 | $45,916 | $11,875 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 3 |
Evergreen Valley College
Grad rate: 38.6% |
-$4,974 | $44,007 | $22,557 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 4 |
Laney College
Grad rate: 30.0% |
-$47,614 | $41,897 | $22,777 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 5 |
San Joaquin Delta College
Grad rate: 30.7% |
-$103,134 | $38,557 | $17,137 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 6 |
East Los Angeles College
Grad rate: 31.1% |
-$179,215 | $35,275 | $18,645 | $5,500 | Full ROI → |
| 7 |
Santa Rosa Junior College
Grad rate: 32.2% |
-$216,138 | $32,558 | $13,649 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 8 |
Yuba College
Grad rate: 30.3% |
-$221,580 | $32,141 | $12,200 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 9 |
Napa Valley College
Grad rate: 31.7% |
-$231,586 | $32,577 | $21,563 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 10 |
American River College
Grad rate: 29.5% |
-$235,312 | $31,533 | $12,986 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 11 |
Crafton Hills College
Grad rate: 35.2% |
-$255,648 | $31,056 | $18,384 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 12 |
Citrus College
Grad rate: 42.8% |
-$282,064 | $29,138 | $12,412 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 13 |
Palomar College
Grad rate: 32.2% |
-$287,434 | $29,028 | $13,997 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 14 |
Butte College
Grad rate: 32.8% |
-$330,410 | $27,453 | $13,636 | $9,036 | Full ROI → |
| 15 |
Antelope Valley Community College District
Grad rate: 30.5% |
-$336,175 | $27,565 | $15,158 | $12,711 | Full ROI → |
How ROI is calculated
20-Year Net ROI = Gross Earnings (salary × 20) − Total Degree Cost (annual cost × programme years) − Debt Payoff (avg debt × 1.35) − Baseline Opportunity Cost ($42,000 × 20 = $840,000)
A positive ROI means a degree in this field pays off relative to entering the workforce without one. Data from the U.S. College Scorecard.
Find Best Social Sciences, General Degrees by State
Browse Social Sciences, General programs ranked by 20-year ROI in every state that offers this degree.