Microbiological Sciences and Immunology at California State University-Long Beach

First-year earnings of $48,631 place Cal State Long Beach's microbiology program well above the national median of $38,040 and near the middle of California's competitive field. While the debt figure of roughly $15,000 comes from peer programs across California's state universities rather than Long Beach's actual graduates, it reflects a realistic borrowing pattern for similar bachelor's programs at comparable institutions. That estimated debt load translates to a monthly payment around $165—manageable on a nearly $49,000 salary, which should allow breathing room for rent in Southern California and career investments.

The program trails top California performers like SF State and Cal Poly by $6,000-$8,000 in first-year earnings, but those gaps may narrow as graduates advance in lab careers, quality control positions, or pursue graduate work in medical or research fields. What matters more immediately is that Long Beach delivers outcomes comparable to other CSU campuses while serving a predominantly middle-income student body (half receive Pell grants), suggesting solid preparation without the premium price tag of some alternatives.

For parents weighing this investment, the estimated 0.31 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests one year of borrowing for every three years of salary—a reasonable return for students serious about laboratory science careers. The actual debt for Long Beach graduates might vary from this estimate, but the strong earnings performance is verified and positions graduates competitively for the next career step.