Home Schools CSU Northridge Cell Biology
Biological Sciences · Cell Biology Rank #1 of 39

Cell Biologyat California State University-Northridge

Graduates earn $47,315/yr in their first year — about 27.0% above the national Cell Biology average. Base-case 10-year earnings $675K; scenarios range from $594K to $686K depending on AI disruption.

Northridge, CA Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
63 SOLID
63
Optimistic
57
Pessimistic
Earnings
$47,315
1-year post-graduation
ROI
26.6x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$675K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
52% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at CSU Northridge

The strong outcomes for this program are significantly boosted by its prime location within the dynamic Southern California biotech and healthcare corridor. As a major public institution, CSUN often serves as a direct pipeline for regional employers, including pharmaceutical firms, medical device companies, and large research hospitals like UCLA Health. Your curriculum likely emphasizes hands-on lab work and foundational scientific principles, preparing you for diverse roles in clinical research, diagnostic labs, or even specialized medical sales. While the field continually evolves with new technologies, your program's focus on anatomical sciences provides a valuable specialization, often sought after for advanced imaging or pathology support. To maximize your career trajectory, actively seek out internships or research assistant positions early on; these real-world experiences and connections are invaluable.

AI Outlook Integration

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.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$594K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score57/100
Earnings Multiple20.9x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$675K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score63/100
Earnings Multiple23.8x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$686K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score63/100
Earnings Multiple24.2x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to CSU Northridge's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Cell Biology graduates typically work

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.

1
Natural sciences managers
+3.7% 10-yr growth · 8,500 openings/yr
$161,180/yr
High
2
Health specialties teachers, postsecondary
+17.3% 10-yr growth · 27,400 openings/yr
$105,620/yr
Moderate
3
Biochemists and biophysicists
+5.8% 10-yr growth · 2,900 openings/yr
$103,650/yr
Moderate
4
Medical scientists, except epidemiologists
+8.7% 10-yr growth · 9,600 openings/yr
$100,590/yr
High
5
Biological scientists, all other
+1.2% 10-yr growth · 4,800 openings/yr
$93,330/yr
Moderate
6
Microbiologists
+4.1% 10-yr growth · 1,700 openings/yr
$87,330/yr
Moderate
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Cell Biology

How CSU Northridge stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Northeastern University
MA · Private nonprofit
42
DW Score
$66K
1-yr earn
1.6x
ROI
Parker University
TX · Private nonprofit
45
DW Score
$54K
1-yr earn
6.7x
ROI
Harvard University
MA · Private nonprofit
48
DW Score
$52K
1-yr earn
2.7x
ROI
Top score
California State University-San Marcos
CA · Public
62
DW Score
$50K
1-yr earn
22.4x
ROI
University of Rhode Island
RI · Public
56
DW Score
$47K
1-yr earn
11.3x
ROI
Also at CSU Northridge

Other top programs at CSU Northridge

Other highest-scoring programs offered at CSU Northridge, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

FAQ

Frequently asked about Cell Biology at CSU Northridge

What does a 63/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Cell Biology at California State University-Northridge?

At 63/100, California State University-Northridge's Cell Biology program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.

Should I worry about AI if I study Cell Biology at California State University-Northridge?

The 46% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.

Is California State University-Northridge one of the best schools for Cell Biology?

Among 39 Cell Biology programs, California State University-Northridge's #1 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.