Program Analysis
At $35,053 per year, Biology graduates from California State University-Long Beach earn slightly above the $32,219 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.
With a 22.1x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.
The 11% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Biology career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.
The median debt load of $12,994 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.
California State University-Long Beach ranks #41 among 822 Biology programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.
The $35,053-to-$65,092 earnings arc over five years reflects a 86% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.