Food Science and Technologyat California State University-Los Angeles
Graduates earn $52,806/yr in their first year — about 6.0% above the national Food Science and Technology average. Base-case 10-year earnings $538K; scenarios range from $500K to $541K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Cal State LA
First-year earnings of $52,806 at California State University-Los Angeles come in 6% above the national median of $49,845 for Food Science and Technology programs.
Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 19.7x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Food Science and Technology programs nationally.
Some AI exposure exists in Food Science and Technology's typical career paths, with 32% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 8% gap from the optimistic case.
Ranked #13 of 25 Food Science and Technology programs, California State University-Los Angeles falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.
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 State LA'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 Food Science and Technology
How Cal State LA stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Cal State LA
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Cal State LA, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Food Science and Technology offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Food Science and Technology trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Food Science and Technology at Cal State LA
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Food Science and Technology at California State University-Los Angeles?
This program scores 59/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Food Science and Technology programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.