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Biology at California State University-Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Biology, General
49 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
49
Optimistic
49
Base Case
48
Pessimistic
Earnings $33,304/yr (3% vs median)
AI Risk High (40% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (113,000 openings/yr)
ROI 20.8x earnings multiple (7.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #88 of 822 Biology, General programs Top 25%

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $572K $567K $521K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 21.0x 20.8x 19.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.6x 7.6x 7.0x
Probability of Field Employment 49% 45% 35%
DegreeOutlook Score 49 49 48

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 (7.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$16,452
40% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,460
4.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$56,983
71% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $33,304 track close to the $32,219 national median for Biology programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

With a 20.8x 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 Biology career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $12,460 in median debt against $33,304 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

California State University-Los Angeles ranks #88 among 822 Biology programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

The $33,304-to-$56,983 earnings arc over five years reflects a 71% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About California State University-Los Angeles

California State University-Los Angeles has a 92% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, 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
Medical scientists, except epidemiologists $100,590/yr
Biological scientists, all other $93,330/yr
View all 10 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 822 schools offering Biology →

Biology at Other Schools

University of San Diego ($54,223) Trinity College ($52,179) Worcester Polytechnic Institute ($51,711) Edgewood College ($51,134) Shepherd University ($49,165) Roger Williams University ($47,799) Barnard College ($47,329) Curry College ($46,736)

Other Majors at California State University-Los Angeles

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($98,811) Civil Engineering ($73,178) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($63,981) Mechanical Engineering ($55,405) Food Science and Technology ($52,806) Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology ($50,428) Fire Protection ($48,289) Air Transportation ($46,267)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Biology trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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 does a 49/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Biology at California State University-Los Angeles?
At 49/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Biology programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Biology at California State University-Los Angeles?
The 40% 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-Los Angeles one of the best schools for Biology?
Among 822 Biology programs, California State University-Los Angeles's #88 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →