Science, Technology and Society at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona

Cal Poly Pomona's Science, Technology and Society program leads to estimated first-year earnings of about $45,000—a figure drawn from national peers since this specific program's graduate cohort is too small for DOE reporting. With an estimated debt load of roughly $24,000, the debt-to-earnings ratio sits at 0.53, meaning graduates would owe about half their first year's salary. That's manageable by conventional standards, though it reflects a starting salary that's modest for a STEM-adjacent field in California's expensive job market.

The interdisciplinary nature of STS programs—blending technical knowledge with policy, ethics, and communication—can lead to varied career paths, from tech companies to nonprofits to government agencies. This flexibility is both an asset and a challenge: outcomes depend heavily on how graduates position themselves and what additional skills they develop. Similar programs nationally show this same $45,000 starting point, suggesting the field itself—not just this school—produces moderate early earnings that may grow as graduates find their niche.

For families weighing this investment, the key question is career direction. If your student plans to leverage the degree toward graduate school, law, policy work, or specific tech roles, the modest debt burden won't be crushing. But if the path forward is unclear, that $45,000 salary won't stretch far in Southern California, and the broad nature of the degree means intentional networking and internships become essential, not optional.