Median Earnings (1yr)
$30,897
33rd percentile (60th in CA)
Est. Median Debt
$16,036
Est. from CA median (8 programs)
Sample Size
21
Limited data

Earnings Distribution

How University of California-Irvine graduates compare to all programs nationally

University of California-Irvine graduates earn $31k, placing them in the 33th percentile of all area studies bachelors programs nationally.

Compare to Similar Programs in California

Area Studies bachelors's programs at peer institutions in California (39 total in state)

SchoolEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
University of California-Irvine$30,897$16,036*
University of California-Berkeley$50,728$77,557$14,972*0.30
California State University-Fullerton$29,316$47,728$17,500*0.60
California State University-Long Beach$28,591$51,163$15,697*0.55
California State University-Northridge$26,793*
University of California-Los Angeles$23,819$55,626$17,746*0.75
National Median$34,211$20,552*0.60
* Estimated from similar programs

Other Area Studies Programs in California

Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across California schools

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Debt
University of California-Berkeley
Berkeley
$14,850$50,728$14,972
California State University-Fullerton
Fullerton
$7,073$29,316$17,500
California State University-Long Beach
Long Beach
$7,008$28,591$15,697
California State University-Northridge
Northridge
$7,095$26,793
University of California-Los Angeles
Los Angeles
$13,747$23,819$17,746

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At University of California-Irvine, approximately 37% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 21 graduates with reported earnings and 18 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.