Cell Biologyat California State University-San Marcos
Graduates earn $49,734/yr in their first year — about 33.0% above the national Cell Biology average. Base-case 10-year earnings $627K; scenarios range from $559K to $635K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at CSU San Marcos
This program's strong performance stems directly from its prime location within Southern California's burgeoning biotech corridor, particularly the San Diego region. Employers like Illumina, Thermo Fisher, and a multitude of innovative startups actively seek graduates with a solid foundation in cell and anatomical sciences for roles in R&D, clinical trials, and quality assurance. You're entering a robust local labor market that consistently demands skilled scientific talent, explaining the strong career trajectory. While AI risk is a factor, the sophisticated research, managerial oversight, and critical interpretation required for roles like medical scientists or natural sciences managers often necessitate human expertise. To maximize your potential, aggressively pursue internships with local biotech firms; these hands-on experiences are invaluable for networking and translating your academic knowledge into a high-demand professional skillset.
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 CSU San Marcos'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 Cell Biology
How CSU San Marcos stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at CSU San Marcos
Other highest-scoring programs offered at CSU San Marcos, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Frequently asked about Cell Biology at CSU San Marcos
What does a 62/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Cell Biology at California State University-San Marcos?
At 62/100, California State University-San Marcos'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-San Marcos?
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-San Marcos one of the best schools for Cell Biology?
Among 39 Cell Biology programs, California State University-San Marcos's #2 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.