Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences at University of California-Riverside

UC Riverside's cellular biology graduates earn $31,148 in their first year—about $8,400 less than the California median and significantly trailing other UC campuses. Berkeley's cellular biology grads earn nearly 40% more, while even Cal State campuses like San Marcos and Northridge show substantially stronger outcomes. This 25th percentile ranking among California programs is particularly notable given that many UCR students likely chose this UC campus expecting outcomes comparable to other schools in the system.

The relatively modest debt load of $17,861 helps soften the blow, creating a manageable first-year ratio of 0.57. Nearly half the student body receives Pell grants, suggesting this program does provide UC access to lower-income students who might otherwise face higher costs at other UCs. The concern isn't affordability in isolation—it's whether these earnings grow meaningfully in subsequent years, especially for students pursuing medical or graduate school.

For families banking on the UC brand to deliver strong career returns immediately after the bachelor's degree, these numbers warrant careful consideration. If your child plans to work directly after graduation rather than continue to advanced degrees, the earnings gap compared to peer institutions is substantial enough to explore whether other California programs might offer better initial positioning.