Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology at California State University-Long Beach

The small sample size here demands caution, but the data suggests Cal State Long Beach's biochemistry program underperforms relative to other California options. While graduates start at $36,841—slightly below the national median—they rank in just the 40th percentile among California programs, where the state median is $42,266. That gap matters in a high-cost-of-living state where competing CSU campuses like San Marcos and Cal Poly SLO report starting salaries above $57,000.

The silver lining is minimal debt. At $11,000, graduates carry less than half the national median and significantly less than California's typical $17,200. This creates a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.30, meaning the entire loan balance equals just four months of first-year salary. The 43% earnings growth to $52,531 by year four also demonstrates solid trajectory, though that still trails what graduates from top-tier California programs earn right out of school.

For families prioritizing affordability—and with nearly half of students receiving Pell grants, many here do—this program limits financial risk. But if your child has admission options at other CSUs, particularly those with stronger biochemistry placement records, the earnings differential could easily justify slightly higher upfront costs. The low debt is reassuring, but starting $6,000-20,000 behind peers annually adds up over a career.