Physiology, Pathology at University of California-Davis

UC Davis's Physiology and Pathology program ranks in the top 5% nationally for earnings while keeping debt remarkably low—just $14,598 compared to a national median of over $23,000. Graduates earn $37,550 within a year and see that jump 33% to nearly $50,000 by year four, well above what typical biology-adjacent majors deliver. While this places in the 60th percentile among California programs (meaning several state schools match these outcomes), the combination of strong earnings growth and minimal debt burden stands out.

The debt picture deserves emphasis: graduates owe roughly $8,700 less than the typical student in this field, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.39. That translates to manageable monthly payments that won't crowd out other financial goals. The program outperforms several peer UC and CSU schools on earnings, though San Marcos and San Francisco State post slightly higher first-year numbers with comparable debt loads.

For a parent weighing this investment, the fundamentals are solid. Your student would enter a well-regarded UC program, graduate with below-average debt, and earn above-average wages that grow meaningfully over the first few years. The moderate sample size suggests this is a smaller program, which can mean more faculty attention but warrants confirming current cohort sizes. This is a sound choice for students genuinely interested in the field—strong outcomes without the debt trap common in life sciences programs.