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Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences at California State University-San Marcos

San Marcos, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
39 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
39
Optimistic
39
Base Case
38
Pessimistic
Earnings $36,889/yr (19% vs median)
AI Risk High (45% exposed)
Job Market Large (60,300 openings/yr)
ROI 14.8x earnings multiple (5.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #29 of 62 Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $456K $458K $439K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 14.7x 14.8x 14.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.8x 5.8x 5.6x
Probability of Field Employment 53% 50% 36%
DegreeOutlook Score 39 39 38

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$30,956
Out-of-state: $78,476 (5.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$42,200
-36% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$15,154
4.9 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

At $36,889 per year, Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences graduates from California State University-San Marcos earn slightly above the $31,042 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 14.8x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences's typical career paths, with 45% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 4% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $15,154 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

At #29 of 62 Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences programs, California State University-San Marcos scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

About California State University-San Marcos

With 96% of applicants admitted, California State University-San Marcos prioritizes broad access, with a mid-sized student body of 14,174 in San Marcos, CA. Pell Grant recipients make up 44% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at California State University-San Marcos →

Top Career Paths

Natural sciences managers $161,180/yr
Health specialties teachers, postsecondary $105,620/yr
Biochemists and biophysicists $103,650/yr
View all 7 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 62 schools offering Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences →

Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences at Other Schools

University of Connecticut ($39,712) University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus ($39,712) University of Connecticut-Avery Point ($39,712) University of Connecticut-Stamford ($39,712) University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus ($39,712) Gettysburg College ($37,977) University of California-Davis ($37,550) Ohio University-Eastern Campus ($36,886)

Other Majors at California State University-San Marcos

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($103,799) Accounting and Related Services ($63,366) Computer Systems Analysis ($61,054) Computer Science ($60,645) Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology ($57,682) Physics ($56,018) International Business ($55,455) Management Information Systems and Services ($55,102)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences at California State University-San Marcos?
A score of 39/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences careers?
With 45% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $438,723 in decade earnings vs $455,818 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →