California State University-Northridge

What are the graduation rates for students at California State University-Northridge?

The graduation rates at California State University-Northridge reveal a mixed performance when measured against national standards. The overall graduation rate stands at 56%, positioning the university in the lower half of institutions nationwide. This indicates that just over half of the students complete their programs within a reasonable timeframe, reflecting an average level of academic completion.

Gender differences are notable in these outcomes. Women tend to graduate at a higher rate of 63%, which places them in the upper half compared to peers across the country. In contrast, men graduate at a rate of 48%, falling into the bottom 45% among comparable institutions. Such disparities suggest variable retention and success rates by gender that prospective students might consider.

Looking at timeline benchmarks, the four-year graduation rate is relatively low at 25%, which situates California State University-Northridge in the bottom 20%. This percentage highlights that only a quarter of students finish within the traditional four-year timeframe, which could be influenced by factors such as program rigor, part-time attendance, or other challenges faced by students.

However, when extending the graduation window to six years, the rate improves to 56%, aligning more closely with the overall figure and marking an average performance nationally. This suggests that a significant portion of students do complete their degrees but may require additional time beyond the standard period.

Retention rates also factor into graduation outcomes. The university maintains a 74% retention rate, which is slightly below average and reflects the percentage of students continuing beyond their first year. This midway placement in retention rankings corresponds with the graduation trends seen.

What is the earning potential for graduates at California State University-Northridge?

Graduates from California State University-Northridge experience a wide range of earning potentials depending on their chosen field of study. Those with degrees in engineering-related disciplines generally see some of the highest median earnings. For instance, graduates in Construction Engineering Technologies top the list with median earnings around $79,863, followed closely by Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering at $68,859. Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science degrees also provide strong earning opportunities, with median incomes of $64,759 and $64,782 respectively. Computer Engineering graduates earn similarly competitive salaries near $64,319, while Civil Engineering graduates earn approximately $56,213.

In computing fields, graduates in Computer and Information Sciences average earnings of $54,120, and those in Management Information Systems and Services earn about $54,893. Among business disciplines, Accounting and Related Services stand out with median earnings of $58,795, while Public Administration graduates can expect around $65,244. Finance and Financial Management Services tend to earn approximately $43,894, and Marketing graduates make about $37,432.

Healthcare-related fields also offer promising returns. Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research, and Clinical Nursing graduates have a very high earning potential with median salaries of $89,831. Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions earn around $83,281, and Public Health graduates make approximately $34,066.

A number of other majors provide moderate median salaries. For example, Operations Research graduates have median earnings near $45,988, and Economics majors earn about $40,741. Geography and Cartography graduates report median incomes of roughly $41,876. Communications fields vary, with Communication and Media Studies graduates earning about $33,193, and Journalism graduates receiving around $27,428. Social Work and Urban Studies/Affairs graduates earn near $32,688 and $33,144 respectively.

Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates make approximately $29,216, while those in Philosophy and Sociology earn around $29,583 and $29,883. English Language and Literature majors see median earnings near $28,064, and Political Science and Government graduates make about $28,828. Biology graduates earn approximately $21,685, whereas Microbiological Sciences and Immunology graduates have somewhat higher median earnings around $45,355.