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Area Studies at California State University-Long Beach

Long Beach, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
33 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
33
Optimistic
33
Base Case
34
Pessimistic
Earnings $28,591/yr (-20% vs median)
AI Risk Very High (50% exposed)
Job Market Very Small (1,100 openings/yr)
ROI 19.4x earnings multiple (7.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #19 of 66 Area Studies programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Area Studies graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $551K $544K $502K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 19.7x 19.4x 17.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.3x 7.2x 6.6x
Probability of Field Employment 55% 48% 36%
DegreeOutlook Score 33 33 34

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$28,032
Out-of-state: $75,552 (7.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$35,724
-27% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$15,348
6.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$51,211
79% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $28,591 per year, Area Studies graduates from California State University-Long Beach earn below the $35,677 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

With a 19.4x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 9% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Area Studies career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $15,348 against $28,591/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #19 ranking among 66 Area Studies programs places California State University-Long Beach in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The $28,591-to-$51,211 earnings arc over five years reflects a 79% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About California State University-Long Beach

California State University-Long Beach accepts 47% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, one of the larger campuses at 34,131 students in Long Beach, CA. With 49% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

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

Top Career Paths

Area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary $84,290/yr
View all 1 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 66 schools offering Area Studies →

Area Studies at Other Schools

Yale University ($55,618) Nevada State University ($54,607) William & Mary ($53,779) University of California-Berkeley ($50,728) Miami University-Oxford ($50,637) Amherst College ($49,149) University of Maryland Global Campus ($48,650) Dartmouth College ($48,565)

Other Majors at California State University-Long Beach

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($100,178) Construction Engineering Technologies ($89,003) Computer Engineering ($79,809) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($77,278) Civil Engineering ($73,342) Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering ($66,477) Biomedical/Medical Engineering ($66,090) Mechanical Engineering ($60,996)

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 33/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Area Studies at California State University-Long Beach?
At 33/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Area Studies programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Area Studies at California State University-Long Beach?
The 50% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Is California State University-Long Beach a good choice for Area Studies despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If California State University-Long Beach's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →