Arizona State University Campus Immersion vs California State University-Northridge
Side-by-side ROI comparison using U.S. Department of Education data. Which school delivers a better financial return?
ROI Score Comparison
The Financial Comparison
California State University-Northridge holds a 3-point ROI advantage over Arizona State University Campus Immersion, scoring 80/100 versus 77/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, California State University-Northridge comes in at $7,021 per year (net price after aid) versus $14,967 at Arizona State University Campus Immersion - a difference of $7,946 annually, or roughly $31,784 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, Arizona State University Campus Immersion graduates earn a median of $62,668 compared to $59,115 at California State University-Northridge. The payback period is 7.2 years at Arizona State University Campus Immersion versus 7 years at California State University-Northridge.
Graduates leave California State University-Northridge with a median $13,872 in debt versus $19,500 at Arizona State University Campus Immersion. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.46 and 0.37 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | Arizona State University ... | California State Universi... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $12,223 | $7,458 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $33,139 | $20,058 |
| Net Price (avg) | $14,967 | $7,021 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $59,868 | $28,084 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $42,200 | $37,400 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $62,668 | $59,115 |
| Graduation Rate | 68.0% | 57.0% |
| Payback Period | 7.2 yr | 7 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $19,500 | $13,872 |
| Monthly Payment | $207 | $147 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.46 | 0.37 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 70.1% | 70.8% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 62.7% | 65.5% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 89.9% | 93.5% |
| Enrollment | 64,674 | 32,691 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | Arizona State Univer... | California State Uni... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $9,070 | $4,905 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $10,711 | $5,450 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $16,801 | $7,744 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $20,130 | $11,262 |
| $110,001+ | $24,296 | $18,040 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | Arizona State Univer... | California State Uni... |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | $86,576 | $116,613 |
| Computer Science | $114,868 | $101,348 |
| Computer Engineering | $112,543 | $101,021 |
| Construction Engineering Technology/Technician | $107,880 | $89,804 |
| Electrical Engineering | $104,757 | $104,065 |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $101,170 | $91,131 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $95,090 | $99,216 |
| Civil Engineering | $89,233 | $97,123 |
| Accounting | $86,901 | $92,329 |
| Finance and Financial Management | $90,960 | $74,656 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $82,535 | $65,760 |
| Chemistry | $58,247 | $79,878 |
| Mathematics | $79,013 | $63,077 |
| Economics | $78,485 | $72,890 |
| Marketing | $75,099 | $64,373 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | Arizona State Univer... | California State Uni... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 87 | 97 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 81 | 83 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 79 | 90 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 75 | 54 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 40 | 42 |
| Overall ROI Score | 77 | 80 |
The Verdict
These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. California State University-Northridge edges out Arizona State University Campus Immersion by 3 points (80 vs 77), but the difference is small enough that major choice and individual circumstances will matter more than the school-level ROI difference. Run the numbers for your specific situation using the calculator below.
Want to personalize these numbers?
The ROI calculator lets you plug in your financial aid, intended major, and living situation for a tailored comparison.
Arizona State University Campus Immersion
Strong Value - Full profile and breakdown
California State University-Northridge
Strong Value - Full profile and breakdown
Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, as of 2024-2025. Earnings are measured 6 and 10 years after enrollment. Net prices reflect average aid for first-time, full-time students.See full methodology.