Food Science and Technology at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona

Cal Poly Pomona's Food Science and Technology program lands squarely in the middle of the pack—exactly at the national median for first-year earnings ($51,883) but trailing several California competitors. Among the six Cal State schools offering this degree, it ranks in the 40th percentile, with Cal State LA and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo graduates earning slightly more out of the gate.

The program's strength lies in its debt profile: graduates leave with just $17,498 in median debt, well below both the state and national averages. That translates to a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.34, meaning graduates owe roughly four months' salary—easily serviceable on a food science salary. The 21% earnings growth to $62,994 by year four is solid and suggests the degree opens doors to career progression in California's substantial food manufacturing and agricultural sectors.

For families watching costs, this represents a low-risk entry point into food science. You're not getting the premium that comes with a UC Davis degree, but you're also not taking on crushing debt for comparable starting outcomes. Given Cal Poly Pomona's 46% Pell Grant rate and reasonable tuition, students who are debt-averse and regionally mobile within California should feel confident this program delivers value without financial strain.