Program Analysis
First-year earnings of $49,068 put California State University-Chico's Microbiological Sciences and Immunology program 29% above the national median of $38,184 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.
With a 18.2x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.
The 10% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Microbiological Sciences and Immunology career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.
With first-year pay of $49,068 far exceeding the $23,500 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.
At #4 of 57 programs, this Microbiological Sciences and Immunology program outperforms the majority of its peers. The top 10% ranking reflects consistently above-average outcomes.
A 31% earnings increase from $49,068 to $64,331 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.