International/Global Studies at University of California-Santa Barbara

A UCSB International Studies degree starts slow but builds momentum—graduates earn just $33,553 in their first year but see that figure jump 56% to over $52,000 by year four. That growth trajectory matters because the initial earnings lag behind other UC campuses significantly: Berkeley and UCLA graduates in this field start $13,000-$6,000 higher. Within California's competitive landscape, UCSB ranks around the 40th percentile for this major, sitting below the state median and well behind sister campuses.

The bright spot is debt: at under $15,000, UCSB graduates carry far less than the national median of nearly $22,000 for this degree. That low debt load—placing this program in the 95th percentile nationally—creates breathing room during those lean early years. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.44 is manageable, especially given the strong earnings growth that follows.

Here's the reality: if your student wants International Studies at a UC, this won't match the earning power of Berkeley or San Diego, but the minimal debt and solid four-year trajectory make it viable. The low admission rate (28%) and prestige matter less here than the specific career outcomes, which suggest students need to be strategic about internships and first jobs to accelerate past that modest starting salary.