Natural Sciencesat California State University-Los Angeles
Graduates earn $39,870/yr in their first year — about 26.0% above the national Natural Sciences average. Base-case 10-year earnings $466K; scenarios range from $454K to $465K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Cal State LA
Your natural sciences degree from Cal State LA positions you uniquely in the vast Los Angeles market. The program’s interdisciplinary nature, typical of a CSU, means you're not locked into a single scientific silo, which employers in dynamic fields like environmental consulting, biotech, and public health highly value. The strong local demand for skilled scientists, managers, and educators in this densely populated region contributes significantly to the earning potential you see. You’ll find opportunities at local government agencies, research facilities, and even educational institutions across Southern California. Your practical skillset, honed through hands-on learning, makes you a desirable candidate for roles requiring both lab work and critical analysis. To maximize your outcomes, actively pursue internships and research opportunities within your specific areas of interest during your studies, as this experience is paramount for navigating the diverse career landscape.
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 Natural Sciences
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 Natural Sciences offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Natural Sciences trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Natural Sciences at Cal State LA
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Natural Sciences at California State University-Los Angeles?
A score of 43/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Natural Sciences. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.