Best Area Studies 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

Colleges with salary data

Average 20-Yr Net ROI

-$172,425

Across California programs

Average Annual Cost

$39,124

Cost of attendance

#	College	20-Yr Net ROI	Median Salary	Annual Cost	Avg Debt
1	University of California-Berkeley Grad rate: 93.5%	+$158,935	$59,499	$42,708	$14,972	Full ROI →
2	University of California-Los Angeles Grad rate: 92.6%	-$89,569	$46,048	$36,643	$17,746	Full ROI →
3	California State University-Long Beach Grad rate: 71.3%	-$93,570	$42,443	$20,310	$15,697	Full ROI →
4	University of California-Davis Grad rate: 85.7%	-$116,953	$44,722	$38,067	$14,167	Full ROI →
5	University of Southern California Grad rate: 92.2%	-$173,792	$50,246	$84,678	N/A	Full ROI →
6	California State University-Fullerton Grad rate: 69.3%	-$205,073	$36,281	$16,767	$17,500	Full ROI →
7	Azusa Pacific University Grad rate: 62.8%	-$251,660	$40,364	$54,735	N/A	Full ROI →
8	California State University-Chico Grad rate: 63.9%	-$282,646	$34,091	$25,590	$16,375	Full ROI →
9	University of California-Riverside Grad rate: 76.3%	-$332,740	$32,358	$34,975	N/A	Full ROI →
10	University of California-Santa Barbara Grad rate: 85.5%	-$337,184	$34,028	$36,776	$22,697	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 Area Studies Degrees by State

Browse Area Studies programs ranked by 20-year ROI in every state that offers this degree.