Food Science and Technology (Bachelor's Degree) at California State University-Los Angeles

Median Earnings (1yr)

$52,806

55th percentile

60th percentile in California

Est. Median Debt

$16,999

Est. from CA median (4 programs)

Analysis

Cal State LA's Food Science and Technology program produces first-year earnings of $52,806, which places it competitively within California's food science landscape—ahead of the national median and comparable to what UC Davis and Cal Poly SLO graduates report. For a highly accessible campus serving two-thirds Pell Grant recipients, these outcomes suggest solid career preparation in food manufacturing, quality assurance, and product development roles.

The estimated debt of $17,000 creates a manageable 0.32 debt-to-earnings ratio, well below the concerning 1.0 threshold. This estimate, derived from California state medians for similar programs, aligns with what peer CSU campuses report and suggests graduates can realistically manage repayment on food industry starting salaries. The accessible tuition structure of the CSU system, combined with these earnings, makes the financial burden less daunting than at many private alternatives.

What matters here is that Cal State LA delivers comparable outcomes to more selective programs while maintaining open access. The combination of competitive first-year salaries and modest estimated debt positions graduates to enter the food industry without overwhelming financial strain. For families seeking practical STEM training without the premium cost of UC campuses, this program merits serious consideration—though confirming actual debt levels with the financial aid office would help clarify the investment given the estimated nature of these figures.

Where California State University-Los Angeles Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all food science and technology bachelors's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How California State University-Los Angeles graduates compare to all programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in California

Food Science and Technology bachelors's programs at peer institutions in California (6 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
California State University-Los AngelesLos Angeles	$6,813	$52,806	—	$16,999*	—
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis ObispoSan Luis Obispo	$11,075	$52,240	$73,350	$20,654*	0.40
University of California-DavisDavis	$15,247	$52,084	$65,196	$14,750*	0.28
California State Polytechnic University-PomonaPomona	$7,439	$51,883	$62,994	$17,498*	0.34
California State University-FresnoFresno	$6,980	$45,796	$56,851	$16,500*	0.36
National Median	—	$51,883	—	$20,945*	0.40

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with food science and technology graduates

Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the management or operation of farms, ranches, greenhouses, aquacultural operations, nurseries, timber tracts, or other agricultural establishments. May hire, train, and supervise farm workers or contract for services to carry out the day-to-day activities of the managed operation. May engage in or supervise planting, cultivating, harvesting, and financial and marketing activities.

$87,980/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in the agricultural sciences. Includes teachers of agronomy, dairy sciences, fisheries management, horticultural sciences, poultry sciences, range management, and agricultural soil conservation. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Food Scientists and Technologists

Use chemistry, microbiology, engineering, and other sciences to study the principles underlying the processing and deterioration of foods; analyze food content to determine levels of vitamins, fat, sugar, and protein; discover new food sources; research ways to make processed foods safe, palatable, and healthful; and apply food science knowledge to determine best ways to process, package, preserve, store, and distribute food.

$78,770/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Soil and Plant Scientists

Conduct research in breeding, physiology, production, yield, and management of crops and agricultural plants or trees, shrubs, and nursery stock, their growth in soils, and control of pests; or study the chemical, physical, biological, and mineralogical composition of soils as they relate to plant or crop growth. May classify and map soils and investigate effects of alternative practices on soil and crop productivity.

$78,770/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Food Science Technicians

Work with food scientists or technologists to perform standardized qualitative and quantitative tests to determine physical or chemical properties of food or beverage products. Includes technicians who assist in research and development of production technology, quality control, packaging, processing, and use of foods.

$48,480/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Food Batchmakers

Set up and operate equipment that mixes or blends ingredients used in the manufacturing of food products. Includes candy makers and cheese makers.

$40,050/yrJobs growth:

First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers

Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of agricultural, forestry, aquacultural, and related workers.

Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

Set up, operate, or tend continuous flow or vat-type equipment; filter presses; shaker screens; centrifuges; condenser tubes; precipitating, fermenting, or evaporating tanks; scrubbing towers; or batch stills. These machines extract, sort, or separate liquids, gases, or solids from other materials to recover a refined product. Includes dairy processing equipment operators.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At California State University-Los Angeles, approximately 66% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 19 graduates with reported earnings and 17 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.