Ethnic & Cultural Studies at California State University-Northridge
Northridge, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
31
Optimistic
31
Base Case
26
Pessimistic
Earnings
$26,767/yr (-17% vs median)
AI Risk
Very High (69% exposed)
Job Market
Small (8,000 openings/yr)
ROI
18.4x earnings multiple (6.9x 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 | $529K | $523K | $479K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 18.6x | 18.4x | 16.9x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 7.0x | 6.9x | 6.3x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 49% | 41% | 26% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 31 | 31 | 26 |
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 (6.9x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$15,000
6.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$48,239
80% growth from Year 1
About California State University-Northridge
With 93% of applicants admitted, California State University-Northridge prioritizes broad access, with 32,357 students enrolled in Northridge, CA. With 56% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.
See all programs and financial aid at California State University-Northridge →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-Northridge
Explore the Trade Alternative
Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does California State University-Northridge's Ethnic & Cultural Studies program score?
This program scores 31/100 — on the lower end for Ethnic & Cultural Studies. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Ethnic & Cultural Studies to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Ethnic & Cultural Studies careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 69% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why are Ethnic & Cultural Studies earnings lower at California State University-Northridge?
Lower starting pay at California State University-Northridge may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →