Communication Disorders Sciences and Services at California State University-East Bay

Cal State East Bay's Communication Disorders program shows exceptional performance—ranking in the 95th percentile nationally and 80th percentile statewide—though the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means individual circumstances could skew these numbers significantly. Even with that caveat, the $46,108 median salary four years out surpasses California's median for this degree by nearly $22,000 and beats all but one competing program in the state.

The $18,261 in typical debt sits right at California's median for this field, resulting in a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.52. That means graduates owe roughly half their first-year salary—a reasonable burden given the strong earnings trajectory. The 32% income growth from year one to year four suggests graduates are securing progressively better positions, likely as they gain clinical hours and certifications needed for speech-language pathology careers.

For families considering this path at Cal State East Bay, the data points to solid outcomes, especially given the university's 97% admission rate and accessibility to low-income students. However, base those expectations on your student's specific career goals rather than averages from a small cohort. If they're planning graduate school in speech-language pathology (where the real earning power lies), this bachelor's degree appears to provide excellent preparation without crushing debt. If they're planning to work with just the bachelor's degree, recognize that early earnings start modest, even at this high-performing program.