Communication Disorders at California State University-Long Beach

Long Beach, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Communication Disorders Sciences and Services
42 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
43
Optimistic
42
Base Case
48
Pessimistic
Earnings $29,270/yr (15% vs median)
AI Risk High (46% exposed)
Job Market Large (41,400 openings/yr)
ROI 25.6x earnings multiple (9.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #5 of 103 Communication Disorders Sciences and Services programs Top 5%

Program Analysis

The strong outcomes for CSU Long Beach's Communication Disorders program reflect a powerful combination of regional demand and practical training. Southern California’s vast and diverse population creates a consistent, high need for speech-language pathologists and audiologists across a wide array of settings—from K-12 schools to major hospital systems and private practices. As a CSU, this program likely emphasizes hands-on clinical experience and strong community partnerships, ensuring you're well-prepared for immediate entry into the workforce. Your proximity to the expansive Los Angeles metro area provides unparalleled opportunities for varied practicum placements and professional networking. To truly maximize your potential in this thriving market, actively seek out diverse clinical experiences that align with your specific interests, building connections that will open doors to impactful careers in the region's robust healthcare and education sectors.

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $719K $717K $620K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 25.7x 25.6x 22.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 9.5x 9.5x 8.2x
Probability of Field Employment 61% 60% 41%
DegreeOutlook Score 43 42 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)
$28,032
Out-of-state: $75,552 (9.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$35,724
-27% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,250
5.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$66,231
126% growth from Year 1

About California State University-Long Beach

With a 47% acceptance rate, California State University-Long Beach is moderately selective, one of the larger campuses at 34,131 students in Long Beach, CA. With 49% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at California State University-Long Beach →

Top Career Paths

Health specialties teachers, postsecondary $105,620/yr
Speech-language pathologists $95,410/yr
Audiologists $92,120/yr
View all 3 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Communication Disorders at Other Schools

Other Majors at California State University-Long Beach

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does California State University-Long Beach's Communication Disorders program score?
This program scores 42/100 — on the lower end for Communication Disorders. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Communication Disorders to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Communication Disorders careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 46% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why does California State University-Long Beach rank so high for Communication Disorders?
The #5 ranking out of 103 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →