Analysis
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.
Where University of California-Los Angeles Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all human biology bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How University of California-Los Angeles graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of California-Los Angeles | $33,628 | $73,339 | +118% |
| Stanford University | $50,179 | $69,843 | +39% |
| University of Southern California | $23,405 | $60,367 | +158% |
| Brown University | $42,162 | $59,566 | +41% |
| University of Wisconsin-Green Bay | $28,493 | $49,275 | +73% |
Compare to Similar Programs in California
Human Biology bachelors's programs at peer institutions in California (7 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 University of California-Los AngelesLos Angeles | $13,747 | $33,628 | $73,339 | $12,500 | 0.37 |
 Stanford UniversityStanford | $62,484 | $50,179 | $69,843 | $12,500 | 0.25 |
 University of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles | $68,237 | $23,405 | $60,367 | $14,500 | 0.62 |
 University of California-IrvineIrvine | $14,237 | $12,187 | — | $20,900 | 1.71 |
| National Median | — | $31,690 | — | $17,312 | 0.55 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with human biology graduates
Natural Sciences Managers
Clinical Research Coordinators
Water Resource Specialists
Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other
Anthropologists and Archeologists
Biological Scientists, All Other
Bioinformatics Scientists
Molecular and Cellular Biologists
Geneticists
Biologists
Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other
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-Los Angeles, approximately 27% 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 80 graduates with reported earnings and 89 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.