Physiology, Pathology at California Baptist University

California Baptist's physiology and pathology program sits at a puzzling midpoint—its $31,146 first-year earnings land just above the national median but notably below California's $33,926 state average. More concerning: while debt levels match national norms, they're 34% higher than what typical California programs charge for this degree. That combination drops this program to the 40th percentile statewide, meaning six out of ten California physiology programs deliver better earning outcomes, often with substantially less debt.

The fundamentals aren't catastrophic—a 0.74 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests graduates can manage their $23,125 in loans on a $31,000 salary. But comparing to the top performers reveals what's possible: UC Davis and several Cal State campuses produce graduates earning $5,000-$6,000 more annually, and most state schools do it with $6,000 less debt. That gap matters enormously in those critical early career years when you're both building savings and paying down loans.

The small sample size (under 30 graduates) adds uncertainty here, but the pattern is worth noting: students at this private Baptist university are paying more for outcomes that trail their public university peers. For families prioritizing return on investment, this program faces an uphill case unless the religious mission or specific campus culture adds value that justifies the financial trade-off.