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Is California State University-Channel Islands worth it?
A first pass affordability and outcome read for California State University-Channel Islands, using national average inputs. Run your own numbers for a personalized score.
Worth-It Score
Workable
California State University-Channel Islands lands in the workable band for a typical family. Median debt of $15,000 can be carried by median long-run earnings of $62,152, but the margin is not huge. For context, California State University-Channel Islands's net price is about 17% below the typical 4-year, public school. This is the kind of school where your actual aid offer can move the answer meaningfully.
Is the price fair?
Compared to 774 similar 4-year, public schools
This school
$10,931
/yrAverage school like this
$13,155
/yrThis helps your Worth-It Score
You'd pay about $2,224 less per year than the typical student at a similar school. Over 4 years that's roughly $9,000 in savings.
Score breakdown
The public version of the score weighs affordability, after graduation outcomes, and repayment burden.
Affordability
40% weight
The yearly net price sits in a range that leaves more room for family cash flow and lower borrowing.
Outcome
40% weight
The outcome data does not create enough margin to fully offset the cost.
Repayment
20% weight
Median debt stays in a more comfortable repayment range for a typical graduate.
The numbers behind the score
Median net price per year
$9,849
Median earnings 10 years out
$62,152
Median debt at graduation
$15,000
Graduation rate
52%
At California State University-Channel Islands, a typical graduate carries about $15,000 in student debt and earns roughly $62,152 ten years after enrolling. On a standard 10-year repayment plan, that works out to about $171 per month, or 3% of pre-tax income. That sits inside a borrower comfort range for many graduates.
How earnings compare to a high school diploma
Graduates earn $20,352 more than the typical high school graduate ($41,800) ten years after entering this school. A federal rule finalized in July 2026 ties undergraduate student-loan eligibility to a comparison like this one, with the first calculations expected in 2027.
81% of former students here out-earned that benchmark ten years after entry, per College Scorecard.
Context, not a federal determination: the official test will use earnings measured four years after completion and thresholds the Department of Education has not yet published, which may vary by state. Our figure is College Scorecard median earnings ten years after entry. How this works
What this means for your family
California State University-Channel Islands is a public four year school in Camarillo, CA. For many families, the key question is whether the published value here beats cheaper in state or regional alternatives once your real aid offer arrives.
Similar schools worth comparing
These schools share a similar sector, geography, or price range.
Public 4-year
California State University-San Marcos
San Marcos, CA
Worth-It Score: 69/100
Median net price: $10,229
Public 4-year
California State University-Sacramento
Sacramento, CA
Worth-It Score: 71/100
Median net price: $9,338
Public 4-year
California State University-Long Beach
Long Beach, CA
Worth-It Score: 77/100
Median net price: $10,440
Public 4-year
California State University-East Bay
Hayward, CA
Worth-It Score: 68/100
Median net price: $9,320
Public 4-year
California State University-Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA
Worth-It Score: 63/100
Median net price: $8,615
Common questions about California State University-Channel Islands
The median net price at California State University-Channel Islands is $9,849 per year. That is the average yearly price after typical grant aid for students in the public federal data, not the published sticker price.
Get your personalized Worth-It score
National averages are a starting point. Plug in your actual aid offer, intended major, and family situation to get a score that reflects your specific picture.
Looking at public universities options in California? See the most affordable public universities in California →
The Worth-It Score weighs affordability (40%), after graduation outcomes (40%), and repayment burden (20%). Underlying data points come from publicly available federal higher education reporting. See full methodology →
Now work out how to pay for it, cheapest money first.
A Worth-It Score tells you whether the price is justified. The 2026-27 funding guide covers the borrowing order, what changed on July 1, 2026, and the current limits.
Open the 2026-27 funding guide →