Engineering at University of California-Davis

UC Davis engineering graduates start at $83,000—impressive nationally but actually trailing the California median of $88,000. Among the state's 26 engineering programs, this lands in the 40th percentile, meaning three-fifths of California engineering schools produce higher early earnings. Harvey Mudd leads the pack at $92,000, but private school tuition makes that comparison somewhat unfair.

The compelling part of this story is the debt picture. At $15,000 median debt, UC Davis ties the state median and sits far below the national average of $26,000. Combined with that $83,000 starting salary, graduates owe just 18 cents for every dollar they'll earn in year one—an enviable position that allows flexibility in early career choices. By year four, earnings climb to nearly $105,000, a solid 26% increase that suggests good career trajectory.

Here's the reality: Your child won't have the absolute highest starting salary among California engineers, but they'll graduate with manageable debt from a well-regarded UC campus. That combination of modest debt and strong earnings growth creates financial breathing room that many peers at other schools won't have. For families concerned about education costs, UC Davis delivers legitimate engineering credentials without the debt burden that could limit post-graduation options.