California State University-Stanislaus
Turlock, California · Public · 98.1% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 82/100 · Strong Value
CSU Stanislaus scores 82 (Strong Value) on the CampusROI scale, driven by an extraordinary earnings premium sub-score of 99 and a 5.8-year payback period. The headline numbers tell a cost story that is hard to beat: $6,067 average net price, $24,268 total four-year cost, $13,540 median debt, and $39,300 median six-year earnings. The earnings premium raw score of 1.162 means graduates earn 116% more than the cost of attendance -- one of the highest ratios on this site. The major drag on the overall score is completion: only 53.5% of enrolled students graduate, which places the completion sub-score at 46 out of 100. That means roughly 1 in 2 enrolled students does not finish, a figure that prospective students should weigh seriously. The repayment rate of 70.9% is also below average, signaling that a meaningful share of borrowers are struggling to reduce principal. Registered Nursing (135 graduates) is by far the strongest program, with $119,356 median year-one earnings and $126,959 at year four -- delivering A-grade ROI even after $23,450 median debt. Business Administration (387 graduates) and Psychology (461 graduates) are the two largest programs by volume; Business earns $43,872 year-one and $63,677 at year four (B+ ROI), while Psychology earns $29,069 at year one -- a weak near-term number against a $13,920 median debt. Computer Science (57 graduates) reaches $71,601 at year four. For students who complete their degree, the value proposition at Stan State is genuine. The risk is finishing.
California State University-Stanislaus scores in the top 25% of all schools we track, with strong earnings outcomes relative to cost.
California State University-Stanislaus
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $8,246/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $20,846/yr |
| Average net price | $6,067/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $24,268 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $63,188 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $39,300 |
| Median debt at graduation | $13,540 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $144 |
| Estimated payback period | 5.8 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 53.4% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 8,385 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at California State University-Stanislaus is $8,246/year ($20,846/year out-of-state). But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $6,067/year, or roughly $24,268 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $3,938/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $16,810/year. The school provides substantial aid to low-income students, making it significantly more affordable than the sticker price suggests.
The median graduate leaves with $13,540 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $144 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $63,188 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.34 - well within manageable territory.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $3,938 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $4,467 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $5,947 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $9,230 |
| $110,001+ | $16,810 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
The 0-30000 income bracket pays $3,938 per year at CSU Stanislaus -- among the lowest net prices in the California State system. The 30001-48000 bracket pays $4,467. These figures represent a genuinely affordable path to a four-year degree for low-income Central Valley students. Even with $13,540 median debt, a graduate earning $39,300 at six years has a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.345 -- not comfortable, but serviceable. For the lowest-income tier, this is among the most accessible public university options in the state.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 48001-75000 bracket pays $5,947 per year, and the 75001-110000 bracket pays $9,230. Both represent reasonable value against a $24,268 four-year total cost for in-state students. Middle-income families benefit from a low sticker price -- there is less aid to negotiate, but less price to negotiate against. The 5.8-year payback period at median earnings makes this school viable for middle-income families who want an affordable regional option without the debt load of a private institution.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
The 110001-plus income bracket pays $16,810 per year at CSU Stanislaus -- still well below the sticker price at most private institutions. Full-pay families at this income level are getting a low-cost degree, but should note that $39,300 median six-year earnings is modest. The value is strongest for students who enter high-earning programs (Nursing, Computer Science) or who use the degree as a credential for professional school. Families who can afford private alternatives should compare the program-specific earnings data carefully before choosing Stan State purely on cost.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at California State University-Stanislaus with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Psychology | $50,348 | C+ |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $63,677 | B+ |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | $59,251 | C+ |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $51,740 | B |
| Sociology | $46,340 | B |
| Registered Nursing | $126,959 | A |
| Biology | $59,229 | B |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $57,060 | C |
| Communication and Media Studies | $54,007 | C |
| Teacher Education | $44,020 | C+ |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Registered Nursing
Registered Nursing is the standout program at CSU Stanislaus and the strongest ROI case for enrollment. At 135 graduates, $119,356 median year-one earnings, and $126,959 at year four, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.196 earns an A grade. Graduates borrow $23,450 median -- manageable against a $119k first-year salary. The California nursing labor market is among the most well-compensated in the country, and these numbers confirm that pipeline. For students certain they want a nursing career, Stan State's nursing program delivers exceptional value relative to its tuition.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration is the largest program by graduate volume at 387 students, with $43,872 median year-one earnings and $63,677 at year four. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.323 earns a B+ grade, and median debt of $14,158 is low. The four-year trajectory to $63k reflects placement into operations, finance, and management roles across the Central Valley and broader California economy. At a net price of roughly $6,000 per year, this program offers solid working-class ROI for students who finish.
Computer Science
Computer Science (57 graduates) reaches $71,601 at year four with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.312 (B+ grade). Year-one earnings of $41,631 reflect the lag between graduation and full market-rate employment -- the four-year figure is the more informative number, suggesting graduates who stay in tech roles see meaningful salary growth. Median debt of $13,000 is the lowest among STEM programs here. For students with strong technical aptitude, CS at Stan State is a cost-effective path into California's software industry at a fraction of the cost of private alternatives.
Psychology
Psychology is the largest program at Stan State by graduate count at 461 students, but the financial returns are modest: $29,069 year-one median earnings and $50,348 at year four. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.479 earns a C+ grade. Given the $13,920 median debt, monthly payments run roughly $148 -- manageable but not trivial on a $29k starting salary. Students who plan to pursue graduate school in psychology should factor in additional borrowing. Those entering the workforce directly after graduation should be clear-eyed about near-term salary constraints in this field.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 65.9% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 70.9% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 68.9% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 72.9% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 98.1% |
| Enrollment | 8,385 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 55.2% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $11,926 |
With a 98.1% admission rate, CSU Stanislaus is open-access in practice. The Scorecard does not report SAT or ACT ranges for this institution. Admission is not a meaningful filter here -- the real hurdle is completion. Prospective students should examine their own readiness to persist through a multi-year degree program, particularly if managing employment or family obligations concurrently. The low net price reduces the financial risk of enrolling, but the 53.5% completion rate means a substantial share of students accumulate debt without graduating.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
CSU Stanislaus (ROI 82) sits in the same peer group as CSU Bakersfield (ROI 75), both drawing from the Central Valley and serving high-Pell populations. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is a named peer and carries a substantially higher ROI driven by stronger completion rates and higher-earning STEM programs. Stan State's earnings premium sub-score of 99 is actually higher than most of its peers -- the gap comes from completion. At 53.5% completion, Stan State lags the CSU system average. Students who finish earn well relative to cost; the system's challenge is getting more students across the finish line. Among comparable open-access regional universities, an ROI of 82 is a strong result, indicating genuine value for completers.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| California State University-Stanislaus (this school) | 82 | $6,067 | $63,188 |
| California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo | 96 | $16,665 | $90,768 |
| North Dakota State University-Main Campus | 80 | $15,543 | $62,203 |
| University of Wyoming | 77 | $13,599 | $56,880 |
| California State University-Bakersfield | 75 | $5,652 | $59,009 |
| Texas Woman's University | 69 | $11,963 | $56,544 |
Who Thrives Here
CSU Stanislaus admits 98.1% of applicants and does not report SAT or ACT score ranges in Scorecard data, making it an effectively open-access institution. Enrollment stands at 8,385 undergraduates, with a Pell grant rate of 55.2% -- reflecting a predominantly low- and middle-income student population drawn from California's Central Valley. Students who succeed here tend to be working adults, first-generation college students, and regional residents who benefit from the low cost structure. The completion rate of 53.5% reflects real structural headwinds: students often balance work, family, and school simultaneously. Students who can commit to consistent enrollment and finish within 4-5 years capture the value; those who stop-out risk carrying debt without the credential.
The Verdict: The Investment Pays Off
California State University-Stanislaus delivers above-average financial returns for its graduates. At a net cost of $6,067 per year ($24,268 over four years), graduates earn a median of $63,188 ten years after enrollment. That puts the payback period at roughly 5.8 years - a solid return on the investment.
Key strengths include strong earnings premium over high school graduates, manageable debt relative to earnings. However, the data also shows concerning loan repayment rates.
Median debt of $13,540 is very manageable against $63,188 in annual earnings - well within the financial advisor rule of thumb that total debt should not exceed first-year salary.
NewsletterCollege decisions are better with data.
New analyses, updated school profiles, and tools - when there’s something worth acting on.
Rankings & Links
Guides & Tools
Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.