Analysis
Cal Poly Pomona's nutrition sciences graduates earn $34,384 in their first year—solidly above both the national median ($30,508) and California's median ($31,096) for this degree. The program lands in the 75th percentile nationally and 60th percentile statewide, putting it neck-and-neck with UC Berkeley and San Diego State's programs despite Cal Poly Pomona's 74% admission rate and significantly lower barriers to entry. With debt at just $17,250 (compared to the national median of $24,020), students here graduate owing roughly half their first-year salary—a manageable ratio that beats most nutrition programs nationwide.
The numbers become even more compelling when you consider the student body: 46% receive Pell grants, meaning this program successfully launches first-generation and lower-income students into competitive starting positions. Nutrition sciences typically doesn't command high early-career salaries regardless of where you study, but Cal Poly Pomona delivers near-top-tier California outcomes without the debt loads that burden graduates from other programs.
For families weighing options, this program offers strong value: competitive earnings within the field, reasonable debt, and accessibility that many top-performing programs lack. Your child won't graduate wealthy, but they'll start their career on solid financial footing.
Where California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all nutrition sciences bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How California State Polytechnic University-Pomona graduates compare to all programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in California
Nutrition Sciences bachelors's programs at peer institutions in California (15 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 California State Polytechnic University-PomonaPomona | $7,439 | $34,384 | — | $17,250 | 0.50 |
 University of California-BerkeleyBerkeley | $14,850 | $35,161 | $64,929 | $16,182 | 0.46 |
 San Diego State UniversitySan Diego | $8,290 | $34,878 | — | $18,000 | 0.52 |
 University of California-DavisDavis | $15,247 | $34,512 | $53,852 | $14,166 | 0.41 |
 California State University-Los AngelesLos Angeles | $6,813 | $31,096 | — | $14,493 | 0.47 |
 San Francisco State UniversitySan Francisco | $7,424 | $30,620 | — | $17,137 | 0.56 |
| National Median | — | $30,508 | — | $24,020 | 0.79 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with nutrition sciences graduates
Natural Sciences Managers
Clinical Research Coordinators
Water Resource Specialists
Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary
Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary
Dietitians and Nutritionists
Biological Scientists, All Other
Bioinformatics Scientists
Molecular and Cellular Biologists
Geneticists
Biologists
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At California State Polytechnic University-Pomona, approximately 46% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 91 graduates with reported earnings and 105 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.