Science, Technology and Society at University of California-Davis

UC Davis's interdisciplinary Science, Technology and Society degree appears to lag behind what you'd expect from a well-regarded UC campus. Similar programs nationally produce first-year earnings around $45,000, which is modest for a bachelor's degree—especially one requiring four years at a selective public university. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.53, based on peer programs across the country, suggests manageable borrowing if your student stays close to that $24,000 estimate, but this assumes federal loans and a relatively quick path to graduation.

The challenge with this major is its breadth. STS programs examine how technology shapes society through lenses like ethics, policy, and history—valuable interdisciplinary thinking, but not tied to clear career paths the way engineering or computer science degrees are. Peer programs produce graduates who scatter across consulting, nonprofits, tech companies, and graduate school, which explains the middling first-year earnings. Students who leverage UC Davis's proximity to Sacramento for policy internships or who complement this degree with technical skills tend to fare better.

If your child is intellectually drawn to questions about technology's impact on society, this could be the right fit—but have honest conversations about post-graduation plans. The estimated outcomes suggest this works best as preparation for graduate school or when paired with targeted internships that lead to specific industries. Without that intentionality, a $45,000 starting salary may feel underwhelming given the investment in a UC education.