Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology at University of California-Santa Cruz

UC Santa Cruz's biology program starts graduates at $25,810—well below both California's median ($33,462) and the national average ($29,460) for this field. Among the 21 California schools offering this degree, Santa Cruz ranks in just the 25th percentile, earning less than comparable programs at Cal State San Marcos ($40,875) or Long Beach ($35,436). For a UC campus with strong name recognition, these outcomes lag expectations.

The saving grace is trajectory. Earnings jump 36% by year four to $35,013, which brings graduates to a more competitive position. The debt load of $18,887 is also manageable—lower than both state and national medians—resulting in a debt-to-earnings ratio under 1.0. This means graduates aren't carrying crushing debt burdens, even if initial salaries disappoint.

The challenge is simple: your child will likely start behind peers from other California programs and spend several years catching up. If they're passionate about this field and committed to the career path (whether graduate school, field research, or environmental work), the modest debt keeps doors open. But if they're uncertain about biology as a career, programs with stronger immediate earnings might justify the similar investment more clearly.