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Food Science and Technology at California State University-Fresno

Fresno, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $45,796/yr (-8% vs median)

AI Risk Moderate (32% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (130,500 openings/yr)

ROI 20.3x earnings multiple (7.5x out-of-state)

Ranked #5 of 25 Food Science and Technology programs Top 25%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Food Science and Technology graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$570K	$565K	$523K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	20.4x	20.3x	18.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	7.6x	7.5x	6.9x
Probability of Field Employment	43%	40%	33%
DegreeOutlook Score	64	64	59

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$27,920

Out-of-state: $75,440 (7.5x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$25,920

7% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$16,500

4.3 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$63,092

38% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $45,796/yr, Food Science and Technology graduates from California State University-Fresno land near the $49,845 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 20.3x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Food Science and Technology programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Food Science and Technology's typical career paths, with 32% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 8% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $16,500 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

At #5 of 25 nationally, this is a top-5% Food Science and Technology program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $45,796 to $63,092 over five years — a 38% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About California State University-Fresno

With 96% of applicants admitted, California State University-Fresno prioritizes broad access, serving a student body of 21,070 in Fresno, CA. Pell Grant recipients make up 56% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at California State University-Fresno →

Top Career Paths

Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers $87,980/yr

Agricultural sciences teachers, postsecondary $86,350/yr

Food scientists and technologists $85,310/yr

View all 8 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Food Science and Technology at Other Schools

Other Majors at California State University-Fresno

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Food Science and Technology at California State University-Fresno?

A score of 64/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Food Science and Technology field.

What makes California State University-Fresno's Food Science and Technology program stand out?

Ranked #5 of 25 programs nationally, California State University-Fresno lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →