Pharmacology and Toxicology at University of California-Davis

UC Davis's Pharmacology and Toxicology bachelor's program sits right at the national earnings median at $39,202 one year out, but lags slightly behind other California options—landing at the 40th percentile statewide. The real strength here is the remarkably low debt burden of $11,811, which ranks in the 95th percentile nationally. That 0.30 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe roughly four months of their starting salary, giving them financial flexibility that many pharmacy-track students lack.

The earnings trajectory tells an encouraging story: graduates see their income jump 63% to nearly $64,000 by year four. This growth pattern makes sense for a degree that often serves as a stepping stone to graduate programs in pharmacy, toxicology, or related health sciences. Students using this as a springboard to advanced degrees benefit from minimal undergraduate debt. However, if your child plans to stop at the bachelor's level, comparable programs exist within California with slightly stronger immediate outcomes.

The catch: this data comes from a small cohort (under 30 graduates), so individual circumstances vary more than typical program averages suggest. The light debt load combined with strong mid-term earnings growth makes this a solid foundation for students committed to continuing their education, but those planning to enter the workforce immediately should carefully evaluate whether this specific track aligns with their career goals.