Microbiology & Immunologyat California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
Graduates earn $55,807/yr in their first year — about 46.0% above the national Microbiology & Immunology average. Base-case 10-year earnings $567K; scenarios range from $518K to $570K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Cal Poly SLO
The strong financial outcomes for Cal Poly SLO's Microbiological Sciences and Immunology program reflect its practical, hands-on 'learn by doing' ethos. This isn't just theory; you'll gain extensive lab experience and project work, making you exceptionally job-ready upon graduation. Employers in California's robust biotech, pharmaceutical, and healthcare sectors, particularly in research and development or quality control, highly value graduates who can contribute immediately. This practical foundation often fast-tracks you into roles with significant growth potential, like scientific management or advanced research, where your technical expertise and leadership skills are rewarded. To maximize your potential, actively seek out research opportunities and internships, building a professional network that will open doors in these competitive fields.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Cal Poly SLO's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Microbiology & Immunology
How Cal Poly SLO stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Cal Poly SLO
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Cal Poly SLO, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Frequently asked about Microbiology & Immunology at Cal Poly SLO
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Microbiology & Immunology at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo?
A score of 58/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Microbiology & Immunology field.
Will AI replace Microbiology & Immunology careers?
With 45% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $517,635 in decade earnings vs $570,459 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo's Microbiology & Immunology program stand out?
Ranked #13 of 57 programs nationally, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.