Human Biology at University of California-Los Angeles

UCLA's Human Biology program demonstrates what many families hope for but rarely see: that initial post-graduation struggle transforms into strong mid-career earnings. First-year graduates earn a modest $33,628, but by year four that figure more than doubles to $73,339—a 118% jump that substantially outpaces typical bachelor's degree trajectories. Among California's human biology programs, this places UCLA in the 60th percentile, trailing Stanford but significantly ahead of both USC and UC Irvine.

The debt picture is reasonable at $12,500, though notably higher than UC Irvine's $12,187 average. What matters more is the trajectory: that 0.37 debt-to-earnings ratio in year one looks concerning on paper, but the rapid earnings growth means graduates likely clear their debt burden well before reaching their peak earning years. The low first-year earnings likely reflect graduates pursuing medical school, graduate programs, or research positions before transitioning to higher-paying careers.

For families comfortable with a longer investment horizon—particularly if medical or graduate school is in the plans—this program delivers strong value. The $12,500 debt load is manageable enough that it won't derail future educational plans, and the earnings trajectory suggests graduates successfully leverage UCLA's prestigious platform into lucrative career opportunities.