Biotechnologyat California State Polytechnic University-Pomona
Graduates earn $60,697/yr in their first year — about 26.0% above the national Biotechnology average. Base-case 10-year earnings $662K; scenarios range from $588K to $680K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Cal Poly Pomona
Your strong earnings potential from Cal Poly Pomona's Biotechnology program isn't just a number; it reflects the robust demand in Southern California's thriving biotech corridor. This region, stretching from LA to San Diego, is a global hub for pharmaceutical, medical device, and innovative biotech startups, creating a competitive market for skilled graduates. Cal Poly's hands-on, "learn by doing" approach ensures you gain practical lab skills and industry readiness that employers actively seek, often leading to roles in research and development, quality control, or biomanufacturing right out of school.
While the high AI risk might seem concerning, it primarily targets routine data analysis and repetitive lab tasks. To thrive, focus on developing critical thinking, experimental design, and interdisciplinary collaboration skills. Actively pursue internships within local companies and research institutions to build a network and gain experience in areas where human ingenuity remains indispensable.
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 Pomona'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 Biotechnology
How Cal Poly Pomona stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Cal Poly Pomona
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Cal Poly Pomona, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Frequently asked about Biotechnology at Cal Poly Pomona
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Biotechnology at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona?
A score of 64/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Biotechnology field.
Will AI replace Biotechnology careers?
With 48% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $588,153 in decade earnings vs $680,497 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.