Ethnic & Cultural Studies at California State University-Fullerton
Fullerton, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
34
Optimistic
34
Base Case
29
Pessimistic
Earnings
$25,305/yr (-21% vs median)
AI Risk
Very High (69% exposed)
Job Market
Small (8,000 openings/yr)
ROI
20.2x earnings multiple (7.5x out-of-state)
How AI Changes the Outlook
Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Ethnic & Cultural Studies graduates.
| Optimistic No Disruption |
Base Case Gradual AI |
Pessimistic Aggressive AI |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-Year Earnings | $588K | $572K | $510K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 20.8x | 20.2x | 18.0x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 7.8x | 7.5x | 6.7x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 49% | 41% | 26% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 34 | 34 | 29 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$28,292
Out-of-state: $75,812 (7.5x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,500
9.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$54,046
114% growth from Year 1
About California State University-Fullerton
A 87% acceptance rate means California State University-Fullerton is accessible to most applicants, serving a student body of 36,956 in Fullerton, CA. With 47% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.
See all programs and financial aid at California State University-Fullerton →Top Career Paths
Area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary
$84,290/yr
Interpreters and translators
$59,440/yr
Compare & Explore
Ethnic & Cultural Studies at Other Schools
Other Majors at California State University-Fullerton
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 does a 34/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Ethnic & Cultural Studies at California State University-Fullerton?
At 34/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Ethnic & Cultural Studies programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Ethnic & Cultural Studies at California State University-Fullerton?
The 69% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Is California State University-Fullerton one of the best schools for Ethnic & Cultural Studies?
Among 92 Ethnic & Cultural Studies programs, California State University-Fullerton's #20 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Is California State University-Fullerton a good choice for Ethnic & Cultural Studies despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If California State University-Fullerton's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →