Best Bachelor's Degree Programs at California State University-San Marcos by ROI
Every Bachelor's Degree major at California State University-San Marcos ranked by estimated 20-year net return on investment. Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Programs Analyzed
25
Majors with salary data
Average 20-Yr Net ROI
+$7,548
Across all programs
Average Annual Cost
$21,144
Cost of attendance
| # | Major | 20-Yr Net ROI | Median Salary | Annual Cost | Avg Debt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.
Grad rate: 55.3% |
+$854,930 | $90,666 | $21,144 | $25,047 | Full ROI → |
| 2 |
Computer Science.
Grad rate: 55.3% |
+$494,436 | $71,818 | $21,144 | $12,850 | Full ROI → |
| 3 |
Physics.
Grad rate: 55.3% |
+$367,660 | $65,899 | $21,144 | $19,069 | Full ROI → |
| 4 |
Finance and Financial Management Services.
Grad rate: 55.3% |
+$310,945 | $62,797 | $21,144 | $15,125 | Full ROI → |
| 5 |
Accounting and Related Services.
Grad rate: 55.3% |
+$244,189 | $59,957 | $21,144 | $22,500 | Full ROI → |
| 6 |
Computer and Information Sciences, General.
Grad rate: 55.3% |
+$215,864 | $57,022 | $21,144 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 7 |
Business Administration, Management and Operations.
Grad rate: 55.3% |
+$114,453 | $53,235 | $21,144 | $19,015 | Full ROI → |
| 8 |
Biotechnology.
Grad rate: 55.3% |
+$81,789 | $51,567 | $21,144 | $18,500 | Full ROI → |
| 9 |
Business/Commerce, General.
Grad rate: 55.3% |
+$64,002 | $50,973 | $21,144 | $22,875 | Full ROI → |
| 10 |
Marketing.
Grad rate: 55.3% |
+$35,610 | $49,294 | $21,144 | $19,032 | Full ROI → |
| 11 |
Biology, General.
Grad rate: 55.3% |
+$3,649 | $48,043 | $21,144 | $24,174 | Full ROI → |
| 12 |
Economics.
Grad rate: 55.3% |
-$8,401 | $46,990 | $21,144 | $17,500 | Full ROI → |
| 13 |
Political Science and Government.
Grad rate: 55.3% |
-$81,040 | $43,492 | $21,144 | $19,485 | Full ROI → |
| 14 |
Communication and Media Studies.
Grad rate: 55.3% |
-$105,851 | $42,050 | $21,144 | $16,500 | Full ROI → |
| 15 |
Criminology.
Grad rate: 55.3% |
-$170,169 | $38,720 | $21,144 | $14,810 | Full ROI → |
| 16 |
History.
Grad rate: 55.3% |
-$176,062 | $38,568 | $21,144 | $16,923 | Full ROI → |
| 17 |
Psychology, General.
Grad rate: 55.3% |
-$194,717 | $37,729 | $21,144 | $18,312 | Full ROI → |
| 18 |
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities.
Grad rate: 55.3% |
-$197,934 | $37,353 | $21,144 | $15,125 | Full ROI → |
| 19 |
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics.
Grad rate: 55.3% |
-$204,701 | $36,500 | $21,144 | $7,500 | Full ROI → |
| 20 |
Health and Physical Education/Fitness.
Grad rate: 55.3% |
-$206,762 | $37,123 | $21,144 | $18,257 | Full ROI → |
| 21 |
Social Sciences, General.
Grad rate: 55.3% |
-$209,366 | $37,024 | $21,144 | $18,719 | Full ROI → |
| 22 |
Sociology.
Grad rate: 55.3% |
-$223,606 | $36,061 | $21,144 | $15,000 | Full ROI → |
| 23 |
English Language and Literature, General.
Grad rate: 55.3% |
-$228,541 | $35,848 | $21,144 | $15,500 | Full ROI → |
| 24 |
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services.
Grad rate: 55.3% |
-$293,006 | $32,739 | $21,144 | $17,193 | Full ROI → |
| 25 |
Visual and Performing Arts, General.
Grad rate: 55.3% |
-$298,668 | $32,561 | $21,144 | $18,750 | Full ROI → |
How ROI is calculated
20-Year Net ROI = Gross Earnings (salary × 20) − Total Degree Cost − Debt Payoff (×1.35) − Baseline Opportunity Cost ($42,000 × 20). Data from the U.S. College Scorecard.