California State University-Northridge vs East Los Angeles College
A side-by-side look at cost, graduate earnings, debt and return on investment. The better figure in each row is highlighted.
| California State University-Northridge Northridge, CA | East Los Angeles College Monterey Park, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| ROI verdict | Strong return | Poor return |
| 10-year ROI | +627% | -58% |
| 10-year net gain | $207,701 | $-27,544 |
| Median earnings (5 yr) | $69,084 | $46,969 |
| Median earnings (1 yr) | $39,466 | $28,288 |
| Average net price | $7,021 | $10,852 |
| Median debt | $13,872 | $10,500 |
| Break-even | 1.4 yrs | 24 yrs |
| Graduation rate | 57% | — |
| Admission rate | 93% | — |
California State University-Northridge
Strong return
+$207,701 over 10 years
Graduate earnings clearly outpace the cost and debt — this degree pays back quickly.
East Los Angeles College
Poor return
$-27,544 over 10 years
On these figures the cost and debt outweigh the earnings premium.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard. ROI is computed by Degree Return — see how. Read the methodology. Data as of 2024.