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
12
Colleges with salary data
Average 20-Yr Net ROI
-$226,987
Across California programs
Average Annual Cost
$33,935
Cost of attendance
| # | College | 20-Yr Net ROI | Median Salary | Annual Cost | Avg Debt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
California State University-Sacramento
Grad rate: 55.1% |
-$48,757 | $45,198 | $22,714 | $16,194 | Full ROI → |
| 2 | University of Massachusetts Global | -$61,720 | $45,587 | $33,365 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 3 |
California State University-Stanislaus
Grad rate: 56.6% |
-$62,480 | $43,627 | $18,542 | $15,446 | Full ROI → |
| 4 |
University of California-Irvine
Grad rate: 86.3% |
-$112,800 | $44,687 | $36,121 | $16,338 | Full ROI → |
| 5 |
California State University-Monterey Bay
Grad rate: 62.4% |
-$176,218 | $39,135 | $26,017 | $11,000 | Full ROI → |
| 6 |
California State University-San Marcos
Grad rate: 55.3% |
-$209,366 | $37,024 | $21,144 | $18,719 | Full ROI → |
| 7 |
California State University-San Bernardino
Grad rate: 54.5% |
-$232,900 | $33,737 | $16,910 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 8 |
University of Southern California
Grad rate: 92.2% |
-$260,972 | $45,887 | $84,678 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 9 |
San Diego State University
Grad rate: 78.1% |
-$324,603 | $32,653 | $27,357 | $20,915 | Full ROI → |
| 10 |
Whittier College
Grad rate: 64.4% |
-$384,424 | $37,247 | $63,925 | $24,937 | Full ROI → |
| 11 |
Ashford University
Grad rate: 9.3% |
-$420,733 | $29,923 | $30,866 | $41,281 | Full ROI → |
| 12 |
California State University-Chico
Grad rate: 63.9% |
-$428,875 | $26,788 | $25,590 | $16,500 | 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.