Best Bachelor's Degree Programs at San Diego State University by ROI
Every Bachelor's Degree major at San Diego State University ranked by estimated 20-year net return on investment. Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Programs Analyzed
42
Majors with salary data
Average 20-Yr Net ROI
-$17,687
Across all programs
Average Annual Cost
$27,357
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: 78.1% |
+$734,110 | $85,451 | $27,357 | $18,875 | Full ROI → |
| 2 |
Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering.
Grad rate: 78.1% |
+$619,602 | $80,004 | $27,357 | $23,000 | Full ROI → |
| 3 |
Mechanical Engineering.
Grad rate: 78.1% |
+$610,580 | $79,350 | $27,357 | $19,994 | Full ROI → |
| 4 |
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering.
Grad rate: 78.1% |
+$603,649 | $78,880 | $27,357 | $18,165 | Full ROI → |
| 5 |
Computer Science.
Grad rate: 78.1% |
+$563,398 | $76,755 | $27,357 | $16,499 | Full ROI → |
| 6 |
Civil Engineering.
Grad rate: 78.1% |
+$484,218 | $73,021 | $27,357 | $19,832 | Full ROI → |
| 7 |
Accounting and Related Services.
Grad rate: 78.1% |
+$396,187 | $68,308 | $27,357 | $15,218 | Full ROI → |
| 8 |
Computer and Information Sciences, General.
Grad rate: 78.1% |
+$351,665 | $66,160 | $27,357 | $16,375 | Full ROI → |
| 9 |
Marketing.
Grad rate: 78.1% |
+$211,122 | $59,040 | $27,357 | $15,000 | Full ROI → |
| 10 |
Chemistry.
Grad rate: 78.1% |
+$156,528 | $56,479 | $27,357 | $17,499 | Full ROI → |
| 11 |
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication.
Grad rate: 78.1% |
+$123,130 | $54,778 | $27,357 | $17,038 | Full ROI → |
| 12 |
Business Administration, Management and Operations.
Grad rate: 78.1% |
+$66,742 | $51,821 | $27,357 | $15,000 | Full ROI → |
| 13 |
International Business.
Grad rate: 78.1% |
+$35,692 | $50,177 | $27,357 | $13,644 | Full ROI → |
| 14 |
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services.
Grad rate: 78.1% |
+$26,022 | $49,785 | $27,357 | $15,000 | Full ROI → |
| 15 |
Economics.
Grad rate: 78.1% |
+$24,644 | $49,733 | $27,357 | $15,250 | Full ROI → |
| 16 |
Political Science and Government.
Grad rate: 78.1% |
-$4,689 | $48,389 | $27,357 | $17,068 | Full ROI → |
| 17 |
Finance and Financial Management Services.
Grad rate: 78.1% |
-$5,018 | $48,233 | $27,357 | $15,000 | Full ROI → |
| 18 |
Communication and Media Studies.
Grad rate: 78.1% |
-$61,209 | $45,469 | $27,357 | $15,675 | Full ROI → |
| 19 |
English Language and Literature, General.
Grad rate: 78.1% |
-$65,773 | $45,195 | $27,357 | $14,997 | Full ROI → |
| 20 |
International Relations and National Security Studies.
Grad rate: 78.1% |
-$100,418 | $43,607 | $27,357 | $17,134 | Full ROI → |
| 21 |
Natural Resources Conservation and Research.
Grad rate: 78.1% |
-$112,835 | $42,720 | $27,357 | $13,191 | Full ROI → |
| 22 |
Hospitality Administration/Management.
Grad rate: 78.1% |
-$117,609 | $42,789 | $27,357 | $17,749 | Full ROI → |
| 23 |
Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies.
Grad rate: 78.1% |
-$132,236 | $41,872 | $27,357 | $14,999 | Full ROI → |
| 24 |
Design and Applied Arts.
Grad rate: 78.1% |
-$139,144 | $41,440 | $27,357 | $13,716 | Full ROI → |
| 25 |
Criminal Justice and Corrections.
Grad rate: 78.1% |
-$151,755 | $40,761 | $27,357 | $12,998 | Full ROI → |
| 26 |
Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services.
Grad rate: 78.1% |
-$166,828 | $39,130 | $27,357 | $0 | Full ROI → |
| 27 |
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities.
Grad rate: 78.1% |
-$183,737 | $39,128 | $27,357 | $12,496 | Full ROI → |
| 28 |
Social Work.
Grad rate: 78.1% |
-$183,995 | $39,296 | $27,357 | $15,176 | Full ROI → |
| 29 |
Public Administration.
Grad rate: 78.1% |
-$185,298 | $39,219 | $27,357 | $15,000 | Full ROI → |
| 30 |
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General.
Grad rate: 78.1% |
-$203,070 | $39,083 | $27,357 | $26,150 | Full ROI → |
| 31 |
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other.
Grad rate: 78.1% |
-$218,861 | $37,599 | $27,357 | $15,862 | Full ROI → |
| 32 |
Health and Physical Education/Fitness.
Grad rate: 78.1% |
-$243,858 | $36,291 | $27,357 | $15,000 | Full ROI → |
| 33 |
Sociology.
Grad rate: 78.1% |
-$263,083 | $35,161 | $27,357 | $12,500 | Full ROI → |
| 34 |
Biology, General.
Grad rate: 78.1% |
-$270,605 | $35,156 | $27,357 | $17,998 | Full ROI → |
| 35 |
Radio, Television, and Digital Communication.
Grad rate: 78.1% |
-$284,332 | $34,284 | $27,357 | $15,248 | Full ROI → |
| 36 |
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods.
Grad rate: 78.1% |
-$297,936 | $33,452 | $27,357 | $12,999 | Full ROI → |
| 37 |
History.
Grad rate: 78.1% |
-$311,747 | $32,821 | $27,357 | $13,881 | Full ROI → |
| 38 |
Social Sciences, General.
Grad rate: 78.1% |
-$324,603 | $32,653 | $27,357 | $20,915 | Full ROI → |
| 39 |
Psychology, General.
Grad rate: 78.1% |
-$367,294 | $30,072 | $27,357 | $14,301 | Full ROI → |
| 40 |
Anthropology.
Grad rate: 78.1% |
-$376,491 | $29,531 | $27,357 | $13,099 | Full ROI → |
| 41 |
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics.
Grad rate: 78.1% |
-$399,339 | $28,514 | $27,357 | $14,957 | Full ROI → |
| 42 |
Fine and Studio Arts.
Grad rate: 78.1% |
-$578,411 | $19,219 | $27,357 | $9,899 | 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.