Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology at University of California-San Diego

UC San Diego's biology program starts graduates at a modest $31,088, but four years later they're earning $45,476—among the strongest growth trajectories for this major. That 46% earnings bump suggests graduates are securing positions with real advancement potential, though the starting point lags behind several Cal State campuses offering the same degree. At 40th percentile within California, UCSD falls surprisingly mid-pack; Cal State San Marcos graduates start nearly $10,000 higher right out of the gate.

The debt picture tells a more encouraging story. At $18,834—matching the state median—borrowing levels are reasonable, especially for a selective research university where tuition typically runs higher. The 0.61 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe roughly seven months of first-year salary, a manageable burden that shrinks considerably as earnings climb. The program's moderate sample size suggests consistent outcomes, not statistical noise.

For parents weighing this investment, the question centers on patience and career goals. If your child plans to pursue graduate work or lab positions that value UCSD's research environment, the earnings trajectory justifies the choice. But if immediate income matters most—say, to service private loans—the Cal State options deliver stronger early returns at potentially lower cost.