Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology at University of California-Davis

UC Davis's ecology program delivers above-average national outcomes but surprisingly falls short of what other California schools achieve for biology graduates. While first-year earnings of $32,161 beat the national median by nearly 10%, they trail California's state median by $1,300—landing in just the 40th percentile statewide. Several Cal State campuses produce biology graduates earning $34,000 to $41,000 in their first year, raising questions about whether the UC Davis premium materializes for this particular major.

The financial picture itself is manageable: $19,951 in debt is below both state and national medians, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.62 that most families could handle. Earnings do grow 32% by year four, reaching $42,546, which suggests the degree opens doors beyond entry-level positions. However, with a sample size under 30 graduates, these numbers may not reflect the typical student's experience—a few outliers in either direction could shift the picture significantly.

For families paying UC tuition, this creates a dilemma. The program itself isn't problematic—debt is reasonable and earnings improve over time—but Cal State alternatives are producing stronger early outcomes at lower cost. Unless your student has specific research interests that require a UC campus, the in-state alternatives deserve serious consideration, particularly San Marcos, which reports first-year earnings nearly $9,000 higher.