Biotechnology at University of California-Davis

UC Davis biotechnology graduates start at $59,156—well above the national median for biotech programs but actually middle-of-the-pack for California, where the state's strong life sciences industry pushes salaries higher across the board. What sets this program apart is the debt burden: at just under $12,000, it's less than half the typical debt load for biotech graduates nationally and among the lowest in California.

The earnings trajectory looks solid, climbing 28% to over $75,000 by year four. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.20 is exceptional—most graduates could realistically pay off their student loans within their first year of full-time work. Compare that to the national picture where biotech graduates typically carry $20,618 in debt against lower starting salaries, and the financial advantage becomes clear.

California has only six programs in this field, so that 60th percentile ranking reflects genuine competition from Cal Poly Pomona (which edges ahead by about $1,500). But Davis delivers comparable outcomes with meaningfully lower debt. For families concerned about financing a STEM degree, this represents one of the safer bets in California's competitive biotech landscape—strong earning potential without the debt burden that often accompanies it.