Dietetics & Nutrition at California State University-Long Beach

Long Beach, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services
38 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
38
Optimistic
38
Base Case
36
Pessimistic
Earnings $23,110/yr (-32% vs median)
AI Risk High (55% exposed)
Job Market Medium (10,200 openings/yr)
ROI 25.9x earnings multiple (9.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #15 of 37 Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services programs Top 50%

Program Analysis

The competitive Southern California labor market significantly shapes outcomes for Dietetics graduates, with many entering roles within large healthcare systems or community health organizations. While these positions are vital, entry-level compensation, particularly for dietetic technician roles or general nutrition support, can reflect the region's cost of living and the prevalence of public sector employers. Your career trajectory hinges on achieving Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) credentials, often requiring a supervised practice internship beyond your degree, which unlocks higher-paying clinical and specialized positions. The observed AI risk further underscores the importance of developing advanced critical thinking, patient-centered counseling, and niche specializations. To truly maximize your potential, proactively seek internships that align with your desired RDN path and network intensely to identify specific areas of demand.

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Dietetics & Nutrition graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $758K $727K $627K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 27.0x 25.9x 22.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 10.0x 9.6x 8.3x
Probability of Field Employment 51% 45% 32%
DegreeOutlook Score 38 38 36

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 (9.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$35,724
-27% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$13,151
6.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$66,995
190% growth from Year 1

About California State University-Long Beach

California State University-Long Beach's 47% acceptance rate reflects moderate selectivity, 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

Dietitians and nutritionists $73,850/yr
Dietetic technicians $37,040/yr
View all 2 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Dietetics & Nutrition 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 Dietetics & Nutrition program score?
This program scores 38/100 — on the lower end for Dietetics & Nutrition. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Dietetics & Nutrition to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Dietetics & Nutrition careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 55% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why are Dietetics & Nutrition earnings lower at California State University-Long Beach?
Lower starting pay at California State University-Long Beach may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →