Program Analysis
First-year earnings of $35,628 place California State University-Northridge below the $53,966 national median for Economics — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.
The 25.8x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.
AI risk is moderate — 56% task exposure — and the 17% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.
With first-year pay of $35,628 far exceeding the $12,500 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.
At #227 out of 351 programs, California State University-Northridge's financial outcomes for Economics trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.
Earnings growth from $35,628 to $72,184 over five years (103% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.