California State University-Northridge vs Iowa State University
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 and Iowa State University are closely matched on financial return. California State University-Northridge scores 80/100 while Iowa State University scores 79/100 - a gap small enough that individual circumstances (major choice, financial aid package, in-state vs out-of-state status) will likely matter more than the overall score difference.
On cost, California State University-Northridge comes in at $7,021 per year (net price after aid) versus $18,589 at Iowa State University - a difference of $11,568 annually, or roughly $46,272 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, Iowa State University graduates earn a median of $63,386 compared to $59,115 at California State University-Northridge. The payback period is 7 years at California State University-Northridge versus 7.6 years at Iowa State University.
Graduates leave California State University-Northridge with a median $13,872 in debt versus $22,869 at Iowa State University. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.37 and 0.52 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | California State Universi... | Iowa State University |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $7,458 | $10,787 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $20,058 | $28,881 |
| Net Price (avg) | $7,021 | $18,589 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $28,084 | $74,356 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $37,400 | $44,000 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $59,115 | $63,386 |
| Graduation Rate | 57.0% | 75.3% |
| Payback Period | 7 yr | 7.6 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $13,872 | $22,869 |
| Monthly Payment | $147 | $242 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.37 | 0.52 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 70.8% | 84.5% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 65.5% | 78.7% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 93.5% | 88.7% |
| Enrollment | 32,691 | 25,367 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | California State Uni... | Iowa State Universit... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $4,905 | $10,582 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $5,450 | $11,506 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $7,744 | $15,463 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $11,262 | $19,605 |
| $110,001+ | $18,040 | $22,496 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | California State Uni... | Iowa State Universit... |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Engineering | $101,021 | $105,753 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic and Treatment | $105,747 | $44,892 |
| Computer Science | $101,348 | $104,211 |
| Electrical Engineering | $104,065 | $99,705 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $99,216 | $85,938 |
| Civil Engineering | $97,123 | $85,427 |
| Accounting | $92,329 | $70,706 |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $91,131 | $83,267 |
| Management Information Systems | $88,999 | $87,413 |
| Chemistry | $79,878 | $66,486 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $65,760 | $78,304 |
| Finance and Financial Management | $74,656 | $75,360 |
| Economics | $72,890 | $75,355 |
| Marketing | $64,373 | $66,482 |
| Mathematics | $63,077 | $62,261 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | California State Uni... | Iowa State Universit... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 97 | 80 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 83 | 79 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 90 | 69 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 54 | 85 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 42 | 84 |
| Overall ROI Score | 80 | 79 |
The Verdict
These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. California State University-Northridge edges out Iowa State University by 1 points (80 vs 79), 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.
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California State University-Northridge
Strong Value - Full profile and breakdown
Iowa State University
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.