Microbiological Sciences and Immunology at California State University-Los Angeles

Cal State LA's microbiology program leaves graduates earning about $7,000 less than the California median for this major—a meaningful gap in a state where many stronger alternatives exist. At $39,266 in first-year earnings, graduates here land in the 40th percentile statewide, trailing not just prestigious UC Berkeley but also sister CSU campuses in Long Beach and Chico. The program does perform slightly above the national median, but that's cold comfort when comparable state schools routinely produce graduates earning 20-40% more.

The debt picture offers some relief: at $19,334, it's manageable and below both state and national medians. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.49 means graduates can reasonably expect to handle their loans, even with those lower starting salaries. For the many Pell-eligible students here (66% of campus), keeping borrowing below $20,000 matters considerably.

The fundamental question is whether this program justifies attendance when stronger CSU options exist in the same system at similar costs. If your child has already been admitted to Long Beach or Chico with their stronger microbiology outcomes, those appear to be better bets. But if Cal State LA is the accessible option—whether for geographic, admission, or family reasons—the debt burden won't derail their financial future. The earnings just won't be competitive with what other California programs deliver.