Landscape Architecture at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
58 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
59
Optimistic
58
Base Case
57
Pessimistic
Earnings $58,331/yr (13% vs median)
AI Risk High (44% exposed)
Job Market Medium (17,100 openings/yr)
ROI 13.0x earnings multiple (4.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #7 of 17 Landscape Architecture programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Landscape Architecture graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $585K $576K $535K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 13.2x 13.0x 12.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.7x 4.6x 4.3x
Probability of Field Employment 74% 67% 51%
DegreeOutlook Score 59 58 57

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$44,300
Out-of-state: $123,980 (4.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$62,496
-41% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,583
4.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$61,334
5% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $58,331 per year, Landscape Architecture graduates from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo earn slightly above the $51,771 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

The 13.0x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 44% task exposure — and the 9% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The median debt load of $22,583 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

Ranked #7 out of 17 programs, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo's Landscape Architecture offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

Earnings growth is modest: $58,331 to $61,334 over five years (5% gain). This field may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

About California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

A 30% acceptance rate puts California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo in competitive admissions territory, one of the larger campuses at 21,521 students in San Luis Obispo, CA.

See all programs and financial aid at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo →

Top Career Paths

Architectural and engineering managers $167,740/yr
Architecture teachers, postsecondary $101,480/yr
Landscape architects $79,660/yr
View all 3 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Landscape Architecture at Other Schools

Other Majors at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

Frequently Asked Questions

How does California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo's Landscape Architecture program score?
This program scores 58/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Landscape Architecture graduates.
How vulnerable is Landscape Architecture to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Landscape Architecture careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 44% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →