Chemistry at University of California-Santa Barbara

UCSB's chemistry program offers something increasingly rare: strong earnings growth paired with manageable debt. While first-year earnings of $47,197 sit in the middle of California's chemistry pack, graduates see their income jump 38% by year four to nearly $65,000—outpacing most peers in trajectory even if Berkeley grads start higher. The modest $15,805 debt load (well below the $24,000 national median) means graduates reach debt payoff quickly rather than watching early gains get eaten by loan payments.

The program punches above its weight nationally, landing in the 81st percentile for earnings against over 1,100 chemistry programs nationwide. In California's competitive landscape, it sits at the 60th percentile—respectable given that the comparison includes Cal's powerhouse program. But here's what matters: UCSB chemistry grads carry 34% less debt than the typical California chemistry graduate while earning solidly above state medians, creating unusually favorable economics for a selective UC campus.

For families weighing the investment, this is a relatively low-risk path to chemistry careers. The debt burden won't constrain early career choices, and the earnings growth suggests graduates are landing positions with clear advancement potential. At this price point and with these outcomes, UCSB chemistry delivers what anxious parents should want: solid returns without betting the college fund.