Chemical Engineering at University of California-Davis

UC Davis chemical engineering graduates start modestly but build strong momentum, with earnings jumping from $68,000 to over $90,000 within four years—a trajectory that outpaces the program's initial impression. While first-year earnings lag behind Berkeley and UCLA grads by $10,000-15,000, Davis graduates overtake the national median by year four and show one of the stronger growth curves in California's competitive chemical engineering landscape. The $16,000 median debt—among the lowest in the nation for this major—means graduates enter the workforce with minimal financial drag.

The state context matters here: Davis ranks exactly at California's median for chemical engineering starting salaries, placing it squarely middle-of-the-pack despite being below the national average. That's largely because California's other UC campuses dominate the field. What sets Davis apart is the debt picture. Most chemical engineering programs saddle students with $20,000-25,000 in loans; Davis keeps it to $16,000 while offering comparable earning potential to nearby UC Riverside.

For families weighing UC options, Davis represents a smart value play—especially if your student doesn't get into Berkeley or UCLA. The four-year earnings data suggests Davis graduates land solid industry positions with real advancement potential, and they're doing it with debt loads that won't constrain early-career decisions. At 42% admission rate versus Berkeley's single digits, it's also meaningfully more accessible.