Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services at California State University-Long Beach

Cal State Long Beach's Dietetics program starts rough but transforms into one of the better values in California. That $23,110 first-year salary ranks just 15th percentile nationally—well below the national median of $33,319—and reflects the reality that many dietetics graduates need supervised practice hours before full credentialing. But by year four, earnings jump to $60,547, nearly triple the starting point and well above both national and state medians. Among California's 11 dietetics programs, this places around the 40th percentile for earnings while maintaining the second-lowest debt burden at just $13,625.

This earnings trajectory is the program's defining feature. The 162% growth rate suggests graduates successfully navigate the profession's credentialing requirements and transition into better-paying clinical or specialist roles. The debt load—about half the national median—means students aren't drowning financially during those lean early years. That 0.59 debt-to-earnings ratio looks concerning at first glance, but it's measuring against an artificially low starting point that quickly corrects.

For families who can support their child through 1-2 years of below-market earnings, this program delivers strong mid-career outcomes at a reasonable cost. The first year will be tight financially, but the four-year data suggests this pathway works for Cal State Long Beach graduates entering the dietetics field.