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Biochemistry at California State University-Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $50,428/yr (33% vs median)

AI Risk High (45% exposed)

Job Market Large (45,200 openings/yr)

ROI 22.1x earnings multiple (8.1x out-of-state)

Ranked #2 of 136 Biochemistry & Biophysics and Molecular Biology programs Top 1%

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$612K	$602K	$548K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	22.5x	22.1x	20.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	8.2x	8.1x	7.3x
Probability of Field Employment	58%	53%	40%
DegreeOutlook Score	61	61	58

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$27,252

Out-of-state: $74,792 (8.1x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$16,452

40% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$16,156

3.8 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$66,319

32% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $50,428 per year, Biochemistry graduates from California State University-Los Angeles significantly outpace the $37,918 national average for this major, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 22.1x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Biochemistry programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Biochemistry's typical career paths, with 45% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 11% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $16,156 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

Ranked #2 of 136 Biochemistry programs nationally, California State University-Los Angeles sits in the top 1% — one of the strongest programs in the country by financial outcomes.

Earnings grow from $50,428 to $66,319 over five years — a 32% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About California State University-Los Angeles

With 92% of applicants admitted, California State University-Los Angeles prioritizes broad access, serving a student body of 21,478 in Los Angeles, CA. With 66% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum. After financial aid, the average student pays $16,452 over four years — 40% below sticker price.

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

Top Career Paths

Natural sciences managers $161,180/yr

Biochemists and biophysicists $103,650/yr

Medical scientists, except epidemiologists $100,590/yr

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

Compare & Explore

Biochemistry at Other Schools

Other Majors at California State University-Los Angeles

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Biochemistry at California State University-Los Angeles?

A score of 61/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Biochemistry field.

Will AI replace Biochemistry careers?

With 45% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $547,799 in decade earnings vs $612,203 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

What makes California State University-Los Angeles's Biochemistry program stand out?

Ranked #2 of 136 programs nationally, California State University-Los Angeles lands in the top 1%. 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 →