Marketing at California State University-Northridge

Northridge, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
61 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
62
Optimistic
61
Base Case
57
Pessimistic
Earnings $37,016/yr (-19% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (54% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (204,300 openings/yr)
ROI 22.5x earnings multiple (8.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #151 of 502 Marketing programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Marketing graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $660K $640K $567K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 23.3x 22.5x 20.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.7x 8.4x 7.5x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 44% 32%
DegreeOutlook Score 62 61 57

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$28,380
Out-of-state: $75,900 (8.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$30,396
-7% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$13,350
4.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$69,084
87% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $37,016 place California State University-Northridge below the $45,450 national median for Marketing — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 22.5x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Marketing programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Marketing's typical career paths, with 54% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 14% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $37,016 far exceeding the $13,350 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #151 of 502 Marketing programs, California State University-Northridge scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $69,084 show a 87% jump from the $37,016 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About California State University-Northridge

California State University-Northridge accepts 93% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with 32,357 students enrolled in Northridge, CA. 56% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at California State University-Northridge →

Top Career Paths

Marketing managers $161,030/yr
Sales managers $138,060/yr
Advertising and promotions managers $126,960/yr
View all 9 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Marketing at Other Schools

Other Majors at California State University-Northridge

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Marketing at California State University-Northridge?
A score of 61/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Marketing field.
Will AI replace Marketing careers?
With 54% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $566,755 in decade earnings vs $659,840 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Marketing from California State University-Northridge?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →